Musings
Let’s get ready to rumble!
Did you know that apparently women make better investors than men? BinckBank Spain part of Saxo Bank together with Talk Radio Europe have decided to put this concept to the test. Stay tuned for BOYS versus GIRLS Portfolio Talk on TRE every other Monday starting on February 17 at 11.45am when…
Sunday Morning Mutterings – Just when you thought it was safe to go back to the water…
As my friends and family will readily agree, I’ve done some pretty foolish things in my time, usually late at night and undoubtedly with alcohol involved. Since my, ahem, ‘lifestyle change’ of a few years ago (You did Dry January? Welcome to my world) I've decided to ‘put something back’ whenever I can. This is why I usually say yes when I’m asked to get involved with charity events. Normally…
Wuhan Zall see friendly matches cancelled on coronavirus fears
Chinese Super League side Wuhan Zall’s preseason plans in Spain have been left in ruins by the coronavirus, with European teams refusing to play them. The refusal has come despite the fact that the team have been nowhere near Wuhan, the city at the epicentre of the deadly virus, for several weeks. Instead, they have been training in Guangzhou since January 2 with their new coach, Jose Gonzalez.…
La Liga Star joins Marbella FC in shock move
Marbella FC's quest for promotion to the Segunda received a major boost with the surprise signing of Espanyol star Esteban Granero during the January transfer window. The 32-year-old, who captained Espanyol, as well as playing for Real Madrid and Real Sociedad, made his debut for Marbella in Saturday's 0-0 draw away at Merida. 'El Pirata' will be officially presented to the fans at the stadium…
Sunday Morning Mutterings – a bad case of the Marbella Blues
It was my birthday last month. Not a milestone event like my Rock n Roll 50th two years ago – and if you are good with numbers you will have worked out how old I am – but just an “early to mid fifties” day. Back in the day, of course, my birthdays were rather liquid affairs. As Spain celebrates Christmas until Three Kings on January 6 and my birthday is on January 19, I tended to single-handedly…
Something for the Weekend? Art in Action
Grab your paints and pencils! The Creative Arts event of the year takes place in Benahavis this Sunday. On February 2 the Gran Hotel Benahavis opens its doors to host the annual Art Exhibition organised by The Arts Society Benahavis. Now in its eighth year the display area will move from the ballroom to the spacious foyer and courtyard walkways, allowing spectators to see the artwork with fresh…
Wuhan Zall FC arrives on the coast
While the world anxiously monitors the ongoing Coronavirus outbreak in Wuhan, the city's football team Wuhan Zall arrived in Malaga today ahead of a three week training camp. The First Division team, whose coach is the former Malaga manager José González, arrived without showing any “virus-related symptoms”, according to a statement by the Board of Health and Families of the Junta de Andalucia.…
Brexit update from British Consul
British Consul Charmaine Arbouin today updated UK Nationals on the latest developments ahead of the UK leaving the EU on Friday. "The Withdrawal Agreement which sets out how the UK leaves the EU has now passed into UK law, which, once the European Parliament has ratified it this week, means that the UK is leaving the EU with a deal on January 31. This is very positive news for UK nationals who…
Marbella still on Orange Alert as rains continue
Dramatic overnight storms along the Costa del Sol last night brought chaos to many towns Unprecedented hail storms caused the closure of several major and minor roads, including the main Fuengirola to Mijas route, as well as several in Bello Horizonte in Marbella. Marbella's fire service responded to 20 emergency calls overnight as the storm raged, with driving conditions described by one…
BREAKING NEWS: Marbella on Orange alert for rain tonight
The bad weather that has caused widespread destruction and at least 13 deaths across Spain continues, with Marbella placed on Orange Alert tonight. The warning, issued by Spanish Meterological Office AEMET, has forecast 100mm of rain failing tonight across the whole of Malaga province. Malaga city itself was blanketed in white after heavy hail falls struck overnight, and there was flooding in…
Surprise fall in British tourist numbers
Is the decades long British love affair with Spain starting to turn sour? Tourism figures for November saw a sharp increase in the number of tourists, according to the latest data from the INE, making it the first month of growth since June. 4.7 million international tourists visited Spain in November, 2.8% more than at the same time in 2018. The number of tourists from the UK, whilst still the…
“Rebellious luxury” planned for Sotogrande
"Just say SO". Sotogrande is about to undergo a revolution. Accor's luxury, lifestyle brand SO/ Hotels & Resorts, together with Sotogrande SA, have signed a management agreement to open the first SO/ project in Spain. SO/ Sotogrande Resort & Spa will reflect the brand's "rebellious luxury", blending exclusivity with the brand's commitment to dynamic gastronomy and upbeat vibrant…
Ambassador urges Brits to register as residents
"Happy New Year, and please make sure you are registered!" That was the main message from British Ambassador Hugh Elliot to UK nationals who have yet to apply for residency. The full message, which was released on Wednesday, reads; "As you know, the UK will be leaving the EU on 31 January and we are on course to leave with a Deal, so I wanted to explain some of the jargon around the…
Who Dares Swims!
Mad Dogs and Englishmen may go out in the noonday sun, but even madder Marbella residents will be throwing themselves into the freezing Mediterranean at noon on the last Sunday in January! He or She Who Dares Swims is a sponsored swim organised by local charity Collective Calling due to take place on San Pedro beach on January 26, all in support of helping to rescue, rehabilitate and reintegrate…
Ronaldo becomes a Marbella player!
Yes. You read that correctly. Marbella FC welcomed Ronaldo to the team on Saturday. Although he may own a couple of multi-million euro villas in Marbella, however, Cristiano Ronaldo hasn't made a shock move from Italian giants Juventus to play with the Spanish minows. Brazil World Cup winner and member of Real Madrid's 'Galacticos' Ronaldo Nazario was in town, however, to watch Real Valladolid…
Sunday morning mutterings: New Year, same old story
This is somewhat of a Grinch spoiler alert, but I’m pleased the festive season is finally over. Perhaps it is something to do with my British roots or, more likely, that I’m a cranky so-and-so, but Christmas and New Year celebrations in Spain seem to last forever. As a freelance, it’s the time of year when Goodwill to All Men is stretched to the limit. From the start of December I play the…
Charity evening for Australia
The shocking images of devastation in Australia - especially those of injured wildlife - have appalled people worldwide. Long term Marbella resident and animal lover Natalie Fantuzzi was so moved by the events unfolding that she decided to take action. Natalie contacted WIRES, a non profit organisation in Australia that desperately needs funds to treat the injured wildlife, and offered to help…
Club La Costa Tragedy – Widow claims “something wrong” with pool
Olubunmi Diya, the wife of the pastor who died along with two of their children in a swimming pool at Club La Costa World, has claimed that there was "something wrong" with the pool. Gabriel Diya his 9-year-old daughter Comfort and Praise Emmanuel who was 16, were found unresponsive at Club La Costa on Christmas Eve. In a statement - Olubunmi Diya says she believes there was something wrong with…
BREAKING NEWS. Spanish Air Traffic Shutdown Tonight!
Travellers have been warned that the Spanish Air Traffic Control service ENAIRE has said it is planning to suspend the use of airspace in the early hours of tomorrow morning. This dramatic action anticipates the arrival of Father Christmas into Spanish airspace. AENA has also said it plans to ground all aircraft operations at the same time. Policia Nacional have also enacted their súper asesor…
Storms sweep Spain
Eight people have died in Spain after a series of violent storms battered much of the south of Europe. Storm Elsa brought strong gusts of wind up to 160 kilometres per hour, causing damage to roads, walls and trees. Persistent blackouts and flight diversions were also widespread. The deaths in Spain include a South Korean woman killed by debris falling from a building in Madrid and a Dutch man…
Never Mind the Boris…
So. The prophecy came to pass and the worst nightmare for those who were clinging onto the faint hope that the Tories would lose the election and that Brexit would be cancelled has come true. Never mind the Boris – Brexit means Brexit and the UK will go crashing out of the EU leaving Remainer Brits in Spain (guilty as charged. I grew up as a Single European under Jacques Delors) in the…