Blog #The Olive Press

What's going on? Everybody's retiring! They may not be leavin' on Peter, Paul and Mary's jet plane*, but they're off! ​Since the turn of the year we learn that Peter Jones, the birdman, is hanging up his binoculars; Karl Smallman, doyen of photographic journalism and website building is stepping down; and Paul Whitelock, "Jack of all trades" is slowing down. All three are "hanging up their boots".

Since the start of the year, 1st January 2026, there are some significant changes to the Spanish equivalent of The Highway Code. The two most important adjustments are: everybody travelling in a vehicle must wear a seatbelt; in the event of an emergency, warning triangles are OUT and V16 beacons are IN. But, the rules for beacons have been changed at the eleventh hour.

We have entered meteorological Autumn and are more than half-way through September. Night temperatures are dropping and the first frosts won't be far away. Time to get ready for the cold winter months. The climate in this part of Spain is defined as continental: "Nueve meses de infierno y tres de invierno."

"Animal House" is a 1978 American comedy film directed by John Landis. It stars John Belushi, Tim Matheson, John Vernon, Verna Bloom, Thomas Hulce and Donald Sutherland. ​The film is about a trouble-making fraternity whose members challenge the authority of the dean of the fictional Faber College. "Animal House" became one of the highest-grossing comedy films of all time. This article has absolutely nothing to do with the film, by the way.

Of the four patron saints' days in the British isles, I think St Patrick's Day in the Republic of Ireland is the most celebrated. St Andrew's Day in Scotland, November 30, comes second and St David's Day in Wales, March 1, comes in in third place. The English don't seem too bothered about St George's Day, which is "celebrated" (not) on April 23.

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: