Spain Fights First Large Scale Forest Fire During Heatwave

The Spanish Ministry Of Defence have sent 285 soldiers to an area in Zaragoza, where a fire has been raging through the pine forest since Tuesday.

The army have been called in to help control the blaze that started after an accident in which a car crashed into a tree. The resulting fire has so far affected 2,200 hectares of pines in the area of Zuera.

High temperatures and gusty winds have hampered the efforts to control the fire. There are an estimated 400 people working to control the blaze, with 16 fire fighting planes being used during daylight hours.

Helicopters are also being used and can be seen lifting water from nearby swimming pools, to drop on the fire.

The Disappearing Gourmet

A Swiss gourmet on a pre-planned trip around Spain's sixty eight Michelin guide three star restaurants, has disappeared.

Pascal Henry was last seen on June 14th, when he was dining at the famous El Bulli restaurant in Roses, Girona. Police were alerted when the gourmet failed to turn up at restaurants in the Basque country.

After eating at El Bulli, Henry said that he was going to look for a business card from the establishment, but he never returned to the table. To add to the intrigue Henry's notebook was left on the table, complete with a list of restaurants he had eaten at, along with comments.

Spains Coastal Towns Growing With Foreigners

A report on Typically Spanish News says that half of Spanish municipalities are growing in size thanks to the foreign population.

Not surprisingly most of the growth can be found along Spain's Mediterranean coastline.

There are no surprises in the list of towns that have grown due to foreign population, not for anyone who knows the Spanish coastline.

Popular retirement areas such as Benalmedena, Torremolinos, Mijas and Fuengirola are all areas on the Western Costa del Sol that are on the list. Anyone who has visited these towns, from my experience can see straight away the huge number of English that are living in these places.

I am always surprised at how many of the Brits here don't consider themselves to be foreign.

But I digress the remainder of the list is Roquetas de Mar, El Ejido, Torrevieja, Orihuela, Estepona and Gandia.

El Ejido actually has six times more foreigners than local people!

Raul: It Would Be Most Beautiful To Play For Spain Again

Real Madrid captain Raul says that he hopes that one day he will play for his country again following the appointment of the new Spain manager Vincente Del Bosque.

Raul played some of the best football of his career last season to spur Real Madrid on to the La Liga title. He was dropped from the Spanish squad by controversial manager Luis Aragones, who's decision to support the younger players was vindicated when they won the Euro 2008.

Despite the differences Raul wished Aragones all the best for his new job in Turkey and also to Vincente Del Bosque in Spain.

Raul said he would continue to play for Real, but it would be 'most beautiful' if he were to be called up for his country again.

Malaga CF Survive Bribery Scare

Allegations that Malaga CF 'bought' two games last season to win promotion, have been investigated by the Competition Committee following a complaint from a FIFA official who accused the club of 'buying two games' to ensure promotion to La Liga division one.

The investigation followed complaints from fourth placed Real Sociedad, who would have taken Malaga's place in the top league. They had claimed that Malaga 'bought' the victory against Sevilla Atletico during the final games of the season.

Malaga were in the top two of the second division for most of the season, but a bad run of form saw their points cushion disappear as they were overtaken and dropped to third. They eventually finished second on equal points with Sporting.

Real Sociedad finished the campaign in fourth place, four points behind.

The Competition Committee has fortunately kicked out the claims and Malaga will play in the Primera Division next season.

Marine Recovery Centre Releases Turtles Back To Sea

Three Loggerhead turtles have been released at Malaga port, after being rescued and having recovered at the Marine Species Recovery Centre (CREMA).

One of the turtles was found off the coast of Almunecar and another in the Strait of Gibraltar last year where they both had trouble getting under water.
The third was found off Marbella last year suffering from hypothermia.

The Councillor for the Environment, Cinto Castilla was present to see the turtles released and also to announce the a new centre for CREMA at the mouth of the River Gudalhorce in Malaga.

The centre is currently treating six other turtles which it hopes to return to their natural habitat soon.

Spain Proposes To Extend Human Rights To Apes

Spanish Parliament has voiced it's support for giving 'Human Rights' to Great Apes, the first time that any national legislation has been called for such rights for 'non humans'.

Great Apes rights to life and freedom was proposed by scentists and philosophers who say that our closest genetic relatives need protective rights hitherto limited to humans.

Philosophers Peter Singer and Paolo Cavalieri founded the Great Ape project in 1993, arguing that Chimpanzees, Gorillas, Orang Utans and Bonobos should enjoy the right to life, freedom and should not be tortured.

While there are no known cases of Apes being used in experiments or tortured there is currently no law to prevent that from happening, explained Pedro Pozas of The Great Apes Project.

Under the proposals keeping apes for circuses, advertising or film will be forbidden, while the 315 apes in Spanish zoos should expect their conditions to improve.

Spain At Last - Euro 2008

A fantastic two weeks of International football at Euro 2008, came to an end last night when Spain beat Germany 1-o in the final of the competition, to win the Euro trophy.

Spain began the tournament among the favourites, but still carrying the tag of 'under achievers' similar to England , after losing out during the final stages of recent International competitions.

The first group game against Russia was among the best of the competition, with Russia often matching the accurate passing game of Spain, if lacking the flair and quality. Spain's 4-1 victory was non the less well deserved and spelled out a clear message that Spain were taking the tournament very seriously.

Even when Aragones resorted to his second eleven for the last group game, Spain still looked outrageously good, and beat Sweden more comfortably than the 2-1 score suggests.

Holland, Croatia and Portugal also looked impressive during the group stages, the Dutch in particular played some excellent football. But against the odds each of them fell at the quarter finals leaving Spain to beat Russia a second time to progress to the final, and Germany seeing off a spirited Turkish team to join them.

Spain v Germany provided an excellent advert for football, with chances for both teams throughout the game. The quality and wonderful football of Spain deservedly winning the game and the tournament.

This Spanish team is up there with the best I have seen at International level and they still have some very exciting youngsters at under 17 &21 waiting in the wings.

Malaga Fall From Grace

Just back from La Rosaleda and what a shock it has been. Malaga were playing fifth place Hercules, who really have nothing to play before as they cannot reach the top three promotion spots.

Malaga started well and Hercules were struggling, they were all over the place as Malaga piled on the pressure. Malaga were two up inside half an hour and it looked like a walk in the park. Even when Hercules pulled one back, on a brief excursion into the home team half, they didnt look a threat and Malaga made it 3-1 at half time.

The second half and Hercules were a different team, they were in control and suddenly the chances came for them to draw level. The second from the penalty spot left Malaga with ten men as the offender was first yellow carded and then after continuing to abuse the ref was shown a red.

Hercules then ran rampant making it 6-3 before Malaga pulled one back on the final whistle.
Malaga started the day in 3rd, their lowest place all season, but it looks to me as though they could miss out on promotion, barring a minor miracle.

Bojan Out Of Euro2008

Young Barcelona player Bojan will not feature in Spains Football team in the Euro2008. The wonder striker has asked Spain boss Luis Aragones not to select him for the finals, saying he did not want to take part for 'personal reasons.'

Fans calling for Real Madrid veteran Raul to be recalled to the international squad after a scintilating season for the La Liga champions, will be disappointed to hear that the player will not be in the Spanish squad either.
Raul has been back to his best again this season, on form he is magical at times and I have enjoyed watching his performances this year.

I am sure there will be plenty of talent on show in the Euro's, but its a shame we won't see these two playing.

Spanish Property Prices Fall By 30%

House prices in some parts of Spain have falling by 30% in the last twelve months says a report from Union de Creditos Inmobilarios (UCI) president Juan Carlos Sandoval.

His statement comes as real estate group Don Piso announce the closure of 120 of its offices with the loss of 350 jobs. Most of the closures are in the Cataluna area, but the problem is more widespread and affects the whole of the country.

Many large promoters and developers are using promotions and offers to try to move some of their stock as supply outstrips demand by a long chalk.

On the Costa del Sol developers have continued to develop into the less commercial areas and empty blocks of apartments are to be seen all along this stretch of Spain.

With the credit crunch affecting foreign buyers it will be interesting to see how much the property prices drop before they are of interest to the Spanish nationals.

While the UCI says the price drop makes for a good time to buy property, I would disagree as prices have some way to fall before they are realistically priced, as in the UK.

Nervy Times At Malaga CF

The last time I got to see Malaga play was April 13th, when they were sitting in second place in the league. They beat third placed Sporting 3-2 on that occassion, to open a gap of eight points between the two teams.

Since then, in four weeks, Malaga have lost three and drawn one game, while Sporting are now on equal points with them in joint second place.

Malaga traded places with Numancia at the top of league two, for half of the season before Numancia put some daylight between the clubs. However Malaga have sat pretty in second plave ever since and really should have secured a promotion place by now.

The season is far from over with five games still to be played. Things are looking ominous for Malaga who must re- find the form that they showed early season or risk throwing it all away.
Third place Real Sociedad could only draw in this weekends game, keeping them in fourth but only three points behind Malaga and Sporting.

As Electioneering gets under way-what type of voter are you?

A new opinion poll on voters in the Spanish election has been published by the advertising agency Vitruvio Leo Burnett working with the GAD, Gabinete de Análisis Demoscópico.

But instead of determining voters intentions they have tried to establish what sort of person votes for each of the parties...
The Socialist voters prefer brunettes, watch more Spanish cinema and use more cosmetics, while the Partido Popular supporters like bullfighting, taking a siesta, using cologne and have a preference for blondes.

Supporters of the various nationalist parties in Spain are those who drink most beer, and the left wing IU supporters enjoy modern art, sport and new technology.

Some of the findings are not surprising, PP voters drink most wine, for example, and read most newspapers, but also most gossip press, while there are more Socialist vegetarians and nationalists are confirmed meat eaters.

One thing supporters of the two main parties do have in common – they both prefer whiskey to brandy.

Source Typically Spanish news

Brits asked for "voluntary tax" to legalise homes

Residents in the inland village of Vinuela on the Eastern Costa del Sol have received letters from the local town hall asking for "voluntary payments" of between six and twelve thousand euro's, to make their homes legal.

Most of the people affected are British or German, and they have said that they will be forming a protest group to protect their rights and to "denounce" this odd system of collecting tax.

Some residents it seems have already made the payments for fear of losing their properties, but the action group that attracted 300 people to its first meeting, claimed they will be fighting om behalf of everybody involved.

The letters are dated from the time the illegal building started and are stamped by the town hall, but have no signature and no return address.

Malaga CF still on top

Unfortunately for one reason or another I have not been able to follow the last few Malaga home games. They have been trading places with rivals Numancia in what is becoming a two horse race for the segunda title.

Malaga visited Cordoba on Saturday in what is considered as a local derby. It lived up to that title with tackles flying in all over the place in a fast and furious game. Malaga won 1-0 Baha scoring in the first few seconds of the game. Malaga had a man sent off with 20 mins to go, but Cordoba could not make the extra man count.
Malaga just about deserved it, and with Numancia managing only a draw, Malaga are on top again by just one point.

Fito y Fitipaldis

During the early summer months of this year, I was normally awakened at weekends by this song, being played very loudly by my Spanish neighbour in our apartment block. At the time I was unfamiliar with Fito and Fitipaldis, but within a short while I began to really enjoy it.
I am always receptive to good music and since living in Spain have tried to listen to various bands and singers, but this is the first one that hits the spot.
Have a listen and enjoy!

Malaga lights

Christmas is coming even in Spain.
Malaga City turned on the Christmas lights tonight, with the snow machine creating a very festive scene.

In my apartment if I put on a few lights and the microwave I blow the fuse, I hope the same fate doesnt befall Malaga City.

A weekend in Sevilla

Had a great weekend in Sevilla a couple of weeks ago. My first visit to this beautiful city, but I am sure it will not be my last.

Spent Saturday doing the tourist thing, sightseeing and window shopping and of course most importantly sitting in the pavement cafe's having a coffee and tapas, watching the world go by.

Met up with a friend early evening down by the River and had a couple of hours fishing, 'til the sun went down.

Back to the hotel to shower and clean up and then back out on the town for dinner and a few drinks.

Sunday was spent fishing again, this time out in the countryside just north of Sevilla. A beautiful, quiet spot, where we stayed all afternoon. I am not a great fisherman, but it is an incredible form of relaxation and enjoyment.

The weekend has gone before you know it, so will plan to stay a bit longer next time.

Malaga stay on top

On a cold evening at the Roselada, Malaga and Racing Ferrol managed to raise the temperature in the stadium, with a thrilling game. Both teams created chances throughout the first half and Malaga were unfortunate to trail by 2-0 at half time.

The second half was equally exciting with Malaga getting a goal back from the penalty spot, and the Hidalgo heading the equaliser just two minutes later. Malaga's third goal looked to be well offside, but the fourth was a lovely goal from substitute Peragon, wrapping up an excellent 4-2 victory.

"Live" Buckaroo

A Picture from the recent "live" Buckaroo competition in Malaga.