So, 2011 was officially the worst year for property sales since the Spanish property crash began in early 2008. Sales were down 20% compared to 2010, which means they were almost 60% down from the halcyon days of 2007. Of course, this is no surprise given the parlous nature of the Spanish economy and the continuing climb in unemployment in [...]
iVolve a Peseta! – The Peseta is Back!
… at least for residents of Villamayor de Santiago, Cuenca. Probably better known for its famous Manchego cheese and links to Don Quijote, the small town is hitting the headlines due to an innovative economic scheme. Faced with slumping sales in the region, Luis Miguel Campayo, head of the local merchants’ association, came up with the novel idea in order [...]
Britain Set To Dodge Double Dip
Double dip? What double dip! In spite of the recent downturn in growth, the UK looks set to avoid a second recession, setting up sterling for gains. You might not realise it if you’re still living in the UK (I’m writing from Madrid) but the negative atmosphere among journalists and pundits in Britain is overpowering. For instance, following reports that [...]
Living in Spain, a country with a world class infrastructure
One of the most striking changes to Spain that I have seen over the past nine years has been a marked improvement in the infrastructure of the country. By this, I mean virtually anything to do with public works, such as the roads, airports and facilities within towns. To illustrate the point, I could take my own town of Gandia, [...]
Buying Spanish property, the right time to purchase?
Recently, I have seen a flock of articles about buying Spanish property – many of which, frankly, look like barely concealed press releases from parties with vested interests in ‘talking’ the Spanish property market ‘up’. Meanwhile, there have been continued reports about the considerable problems of the debt laden Spanish banks, who are deeply troubled, not lending and now the [...]
The Euro, stable Currency or Hot Potato?
It’s been a week of ups and downs for GBP/EUR exchange rate! Each day has bought news that has set the rate diving and climbing, swinging between 1.19 and 1.20. Of course, if you’re someone that doesn’t pay much attention to currency exchange rates, it might look like not much has happened! But in fact, these wild swings reflect market nervousness at events in Europe that [...]
Culture of Spain, an amusing pastiche!
I could not resist putting up these two wonderful ‘maps’ of Spain and Europe, as seen from the ‘imaginary’ eyes of the Spanish – although whether done by someone Spanish or not I do not know. They have just been sent to me by my son, who spotted them on Mapping Stereotypes. They are, of course, probably totally politically incorrect – [...]
Spanish economy inherently troubled, with unemployment in Spain set to rise further
It has just been announced that unemployment in Spain has reached 5.4 million people, amounting to an unemployment rate in Spain of 22.9% – some 400,000 people more than during the third quarter of 2011. Meanwhile, 48.6% of Spain’s 16-24 year olds have no work, creating a living tragedy and a ‘lost’ generation. Can anyone be surprised by this horrendous [...]
Paddle4Heroes, from Gibraltar to Marbella by kayak
On the 31st May this year, nine men from Paddle4Heroes are going to paddle from Gibraltar to Marbella in Spain by kayak to raise funds for Help for Heroes and a new charity called Families of The Fallen. Both of these charities should touch the heart of anyone British, as they are at the forefront of helping servicemen and women [...]
Euro exchange rate and money transfer to Spain
Is the euro bouncing back – or set to meltdown? In the past fortnight the pound and US dollar hit 12 month highs against the euro, reaching 1.21 and 0.79 respectively. Since then the euro has clawed back ground. But is this the start of euro resurgence, or a last gasp – preceding terminal decline? Watching the crisis in Europe play [...]
