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Desde el final de la Guerra Civil en 1939 hasta la caída de la dictadura fascista de Franco tras su muerte en 1975, España fue, sin duda, un país del Tercer Mundo. Tras el retorno de España a la monarquía en 1975 y, a partir de 1977, a la democracia constitucional, surgió la esperanza de que la situación mejorara. Se abrieron las fronteras y, desde 1986, España se convirtió en miembro de la Unión Europea.

Ha comenzado la temporada de quema en Andalucía. Para quemar restos de jardín, maleza y recortes de césped, se necesita un permiso que se puede obtener gratuitamente en el ayuntamiento. La fecha de inicio fue el 1 de noviembre, así que me aseguré de solicitar mi licencia con suficiente antelación.

Partiendo de Ronda, nos dirigimos al inicio del Valle del Genal, que comienza con el hermoso Bosque Encantado de Parauta. Luego continuamos hacia Cartajima; al pueblo azul de los Pitufos, Juzcar; pasamos por Farajan; y llegamos a Alpandeire, ciudad que venera a Fray Leopoldo, un santo de reciente canonización. Almorzamos en Alpandeire.

Hemos entrado en otoño meteorológico y ya hemos pasado la mitad de septiembre. Las temperaturas nocturnas están bajando y las primeras heladas no tardarán en llegar. Es hora de prepararse para los fríos meses de invierno. El clima en esta parte de España se define como continental: "Nueve meses de infierno y tres de invierno".

María de la Paz Fernández Lobato (PP) ha sido acusada de cinco delitos y enfrenta una pena de prisión y una multa cuantiosa. La noticia se dio a conocer este fin de semana: la alcaldesa ha sido acusada de prevaricación, malversación de fondos, fraude y falsificación de documentos.

August is the month when Spain lets its hair down, celebrating fiesta after feria after dia santo (saint's day). Where do I begin? There has been so much going on in Ronda and the Serrania this month, and there's yet more to come!

The town where I chose to live 17 years ago is hitting the news a lot lately. Hardly surprising. After four decades spent discovering Spain, it's the place Paul Whitelock decided to emigrate to. On arrival in 2008 he lived in Montejaque for three years, before he and his new second wife decided they needed more space, a garden and a pool. They moved to the outskirts of Ronda. So, why is Ronda in the news? Take a look:

​Paul Whitelock first heard about this pilgrimage route when he was an undergraduate studying Spanish. Several writers on Spain referred to it. He attended a course through the EU Socrates programme which was held in one of the starting points. ​ Two parishioners from his local church did the walk and gave a presentation in church. ​Hollywood star Shirley MacLaine wrote a book after she had walked the route. ​ There was a TV series and several films.

Not only is it the start of the fiesta de Sanfermines in Pamplona, it's also the 20th anniversary of the London Bombings, when four suicide bombers attacked three underground trains and a London bus during the morning rush hour. While the encierro in northern Spain is a joyous occasion, the events in London represented a colossal outrage. More here.

The other weekend I went on a journey into the unknown - to the East. To East London, to Stratford. To visit my daughter in her new home there. I still hadn't seen it since she moved last year. Although she wouldn't be there the first day and night, she sent me directions and instructions for getting the key. Then the fun began .....

The decision of AENA to effectively close off most entrances and exits to and from airports in Spain, in order to tackle the problem of vagrants and the homeless sleeping in the terminals, has caused a problem for travellers. Recently I flew late into Malaga-Costa del Sol airport and along with hundreds of other airline passengers we couldn't get out! The new policy of shutting nearly all exits from the terminal building and suspending the lift service from arrivals up to ground level and level 1 caused mayhem.

"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.