Blog #​Andalucía

Andalucía Day (Día de Andalucía) marks the anniversary of a referendum held on 28 February, 1980 when a large majority of voters supported the referendum for Andalucía to become one of the 17 autonomous communities in Spain, following Spain’s democratisation after nearly forty years of the Franco dictatorship. Franco died in November 1975.

Who are they? Or what are they? Three names sound English, two Scandinavian, two Italian, one German and one Spanish. ​They are, in fact, the names given to the borrascas (storms) we've suffered in Malaga province this hydrological year (2025/26). NINE named storms since October! And that's not counting several other unnamed bad weather events.

I turned 75 on May 18th 2025, last Sunday. I was in Germany at the time attending the confirmation of my third German grandchild, which was on the same day. On May 19th I started two-and-a-half-weeks "de Rodriguez". On that date I flew back to Spain, while my good lady, German Rita, lingered in Germany to catch up with family and friends and to attend the latest Familientreffen, family reunion.

The Olive Press has recently published an article about five less well-known places away from the popular big cities, like Barcelona, Granada, Madrid, Málaga, Sevilla, and Valencia. The choices are good ‘uns. I’ve been to all five. Here’s what I think:

As I write this at 19.30 on the day itself in my local bar, there is nobody about! I’ve spoken to a few of my Spanish neighbours, and today is not important for them. They’re just glad to have a day off!