Blog

Christmas in Spain differs somewhat from the celebrations in other countries, such as France, Germany, the UK, and the USA. What the Spanish eat and when is different and the main presents are given out on 6 January, Epiphany. The Christmas season lasts from 8 December, Día de la Inmaculada Concepción, until 6 January, Epiphany or Día de Reyes.

The right is rearing its ugly head all over Europe. Right-wing parties are gaining more and more support, eg in Germany, in Spain, in France. And the Netherlands have just elected a right-wing party. Conversely, it looks like the right has had its day in the UK. Despite the rise of the AfD and Pegida, Germany has a socialist-led coalition in the Berlin Bundestag. VOX in Spain appears to be losing support.

Lots of people volunteer, ie they work for free. Pablo de Ronda has been working for free for the best part of 20 years. From translating and interpreting, through teaching and writing, to building work and gardening. Here's a summary of his "working for free" career.

As the result of a barter arrangement between us and friends Nick and Julia, we just spent a delightful four days on the Costa del Sol, just over an hour by car from Ronda. We were based in Casares Costa, but also spent time in Puerto de la Duquesa, Sabinillas, El Castillo, Manilva and Estepona.

Ronda has attracted many writers - foreigners as well as Spaniards - over the years. Here is a selection of people, 'Dead' or 'Alive', who have been moved to write about the 'Ciudad Soñada'. From American Ernest Hemingway to Austrian Rainer Maria Rilke; from Scottish Lord Alastair Boyd to Englishman Guy Hunter-Watts.

I recently hired Oliver, the elder son of friends and neighbours Nick and Julia. Oliver has just turned 19 and has completed his A-Levels. Before he takes up his place at Exeter University, Ollie has opted to take a gap year, and he wants to travel and needs to earn money.

New artists association RondARTE holds its inaugural exhibition. More than 150 works by 78 local artists are on display at the Convento de Santo Domingo, Ronda, until 21 October.

Many restaurants and bars in the Serrania de Ronda have been forced to close as a result of the Covid-19 pandemic. These three new restaurants have opened, however, and the local offer is once again worthy of the increasing numbers of tourists who come to the area.

We all know what "earworms" are. Those songs we just cannot get out of our heads, like "Sugar, Sugar" by The Archies. Check out this research by the University of St Andrews, Scotland.

I don’t normally go for modern gastrobars. I prefer traditional Spanish eateries, like small restaurants, tapas bars and the occasional foreign place like Japanese, Italian or Asian.

The newest restaurant in Montejaque (Malaga) is CASA LOLA, which opened a month ago in the re-furbished former "La Casita" restaurant at holiday complex Casas de Montejaque.

Paul Whitelock has been to Cádiz city six times - with five different lady companions! Two wives (twice each), a girlfriend, and his stepson's girlfriend of the time. Here's why he numbers Cádiz among his top three Andalusian cities.