Spanish Life
La Catarina to Close!
One of Marbella's best live music venues, La Catarina, is set to close. In a post on the bar's Facebook page, La Catarina's management stated "We feel it is now the right time to announce that La Catarina will close at the end of May. All good things come to an end and we feel that this is the time…
‘Meh’ bella Arena
The announcement that Marbella Arena – the former Bull Ring in Nueva Andalucia – was being reformed as an “international concert venue” had concert goers buzzing. So to say we were not impressed with the management is putting it mildly. First was the lack of invitations to the English media for the Press Conference when the line up of acts was unveiled. And then there was the line up itself.…
The Cat’s Whiskers!
Hot new eatery Cat's Kitchen is set to officially open on Saturday. Located in the Agrojardin centre just past Cancelada, the laid back vibe and great food has already ensured a devoted group of regulars. Saturday promises to be a day full of great entertainment with lots of fantastic live music including Colm Fitpatrick, legendary DJ Larry Jazz, live band The Cops and DJ Fadakata If that wasn't…
Free Draw! Win a skydive simulator experience!
Fly4Real is bringing Spain’s first outdoor skydiving simulator to the Costa del Sol next month and have launched a competition to win the first 10 flights. All you have to do to enter is send them an email, or fill out the contact form on their website www.fly-4-real.com before April 26. A skydiving simulator allows visitors to fly on a column of air, without a parachute. It simulates the…
Monday Motivation – Dieting and Teeth
In her latest column, Ali Silver discusses Dieting and Oral Health By now, you know that diets don’t work and they that seriously disrupt your relationship with food and your body. In the quest for weight loss, we often overlook our teeth and gums. However if you have ever had to have work done to your teeth, you’ll know it can be a painful and lengthy process! So how can dieting affect the…
Something for the Weekend? Book Review Izzy + Tristan by Shannon Dunlap
Alicia Duggan of The Bookshop reviews the latest releases. This debut young adult novel by Shannon Dunlap is a modern take on the legend of Tristan and Iseult. As it says in the prologue, “This is not a novel. It’s a romance.” Izzy is a sixteen-year-old, bright and practical aspiring doctor who has grown up in comfortable affluence on the Lower East Side. When her hippy parents decide to move the…
Top Tarta!
Marbella picked up another gastronomy award last month when Kava restaurant was declared the winner National Championship of Cheese Cakes. (No we didn’t know there was such as thing either. But we love the idea!). Fernando Alcala’s tarta de queso boasts a crisp, toasted outside and creamy centre. “The secret of our cheesecake” Alcala said as he picked up the award at the inaugural edition of the…
Marbella councillor stresses need for English and computer programming skills
Cristóbal Garre, Councillor for the Department of Economic Development and SMEs and Employment for Marbella Town Hall stressed the the need for more learning opportunities as he opened the annual Helen Doron Franchise Conference at the Hotel Barcelo He welcomed the 200 Master Franchisors from 34 countries to Marbella and thanked them for choosing the city, while emphasising the need for…
Marbella water safe to drink, insists Junta
After the Junta de Andalucia's decision to ban swimming, boating and all recreational activites on the La Concepción reservoir - after the discovery of the Phormidium cyanobacterium - they have been quick to assure the public that tap water is safe to drink. La Concepción reservoir provides drinking water for Marbella, and although the deaths of at least six dogs at the public access to the lake…
Breaking News. Junta bans swimming and boating on Istan Lake
The Junta de Andalucia today prohibited all activities on the Istan lake The ban comes after the sudden deaths of at least six dogs in this month. The document explains that tests have found a cyanbacteria from the Phomidium family that could be responsible for the deaths. (a division of microorganisms that are related to the bacteria but are capable of photosynthesis). The cyanbacteria…
Obliterate San Pedro!
If you are a regular reader of this blog, you will know that I have a problem with San Pedro Alcantara. Before you all rush to form a mob and force me away with burning torches shouting, “kill the monster!” I hasten to add that I have nothing against the good people themselves. When I was living in Marbella in the 80s, the town gave me one of the funniest nightclub moments of the decade – and…
That Friday Feeling – Spain gets happier!
As the Marbella news seems to be dominated by Brexit and poisoned dogs at the moment, I thought that we'd get that Friday feeling going with a good news story. According to the latest United Nations report, Spain’s position on the World Happiness Index has risen six points compared to last year. The country now ranks in 30th, up from 36th last year – its highest position since the survey began…
I fought the law and the law won. Again.
It's a hard task being an ageing Wild Young Thing. It's bad enough that one of heroes that you used to rave to in the 90s passed away recently. 'Firestarter' was THE dance floor filler in my London days, although we amended the lyrics. One of the bunch of Marbella misfits that I partied with in London – we had all moved from the Coast en masse at the start of the decade – was from South America,…
BREAKING NEWS. Access to Istan Lake closes
The Local Police of Istán, following instructions of the Delegate of Health, has sealed the access to the Istan Lake. The public access of Zahara de Istán and El Pinillo have been closed off to avoid the possiblility of the public coming into contact with posions after six dogs died in a week. Water samples from the lake are also under analysis and investigation
Another Poison Death on Istan Lake
The horror continues in Istan with the death of another beloved pet by poisoning, the SIXTH in a week. The latest dog to die was Laila, whose owner Lars Walkler is a well-known figure in the area and who formerly ran an activity company based on the lake. The latest poisoning took place at the same location as the others, close to the water near Zahara de Istan, one of the two public access…
To cut a long story short – Tony Hadley to play Marbella!
One of the most distinctive male singers of the 80s will be playing Marbella this summer. On Saturday, August 10, the legendary Tony Hadley, lead singer with Spandau Ballet will be performing all of his hits, including: “True”, “Gold”, “Through the Barricades” and many more. The concert is part of Marbella Music Week at Puente Romano, organised by promotors Rock Lounge, which will also see The…
BREAKING NEWS. New poisoning scare on Istan lake
At least four dogs have been reported dead over the weekend in what appears to be a fresh outbreak of poisonings. The dogs all died close to the water's edge next to Zahara de Istan at kilometre 7 on the Istan road, which is one of the two access points to the reservoir. One witness said that a dog died just twenty minutes after swimming in the lake. Planet Marbella contacted the authorities at…
The Quiet Life?
When I moved into my idyllic cottage by the lake and escaped the madding and frequently maddening crowds on the coast I did so for a variety of reasons. Some were financial; it's a lot cheaper inland. Some were spiritual, although I have yet to turn all New Age and there is a permanent ban on crystals, wind chimes and anything resembling a dream catcher at the Casita. (As an aside, why do people…
Something for the Weekend? ‘Journeys to the Other Side of the World’ By Sir David Attenborough
Alicia Duggan at The Bookshop reviews the latest book from the world's favourite wildlife expert. Journeys to the Other Side of the World chart the further adventures of a young David Attenborough - from Madagascar and New Guinea to the Pacific Islands and the Northern Territory of Australia. The world has changed enormously since Sir David Attenborough began his fascinating documentaries over 60…
British Ambassador welcomes Spanish plans for No-Deal Brexit
The important announcement by Spanish PM Pedro Sanchez last week, and the approval by the Consejo de Ministros of the Royal Decree covering Spain’s Brexit contingency measures, has been welcomed by the British Ambassador to Spain, Simon Manley. “The UK Government’s top priority remains securing a deal with the EU that wins the support of the UK parliament. However, like any responsible…