After spending a lovely evening watching the Three Kings enter the Balcon de Europa, we decided to make our way home. Paid our bill and waited until the streets had cleared a little then left on our way through the narrow streets leading back to the Torrecilla area. Upon entering Plaza de Cavana we were approached by young woman (and neither of us had seen her approach), had flowers thrust into our hands with a demand for a few cents – within seconds four of these girls surrounded us; two asking me for money (I was not carrying any at the time) and two trying to get into my daughter´s purse and bag. This is the first time we have experienced anything like this in Nerja; not unfortunately the first time someone has stolen from my daughter whilst living in Spain.

Normally we are street wise, but we were both distracted, most certainly a stupid thing to do at this time of night. Luckily an English man approached very quickly and told us not to give them money and explained they were thieves; the “flower girls” disappeared as quickly as they had appeared and having thanked the couple who helped us, we made our way home without incident. Apparently they approach people who are distracted, often women on their own who, like me, are vulnerable.

These women are often at the local markets and were well known in the area; though I am sure there is more than one “gang”.

If you are visiting Nerja (or in fact any other tourist resort in Spain), be aware that there are pick pockets and other thieves in the area. One person was robbed twice during their eleven day holiday but many visitors enjoy their time here without experiencing problems.

We have become complacent since living in an inland village, carrying a bag when we go out, keeping our money and cards in one purse and so on. Had we followed our own rules, this incident would not have occurred.

Tips
- do not carry a bag (quite common for someone on a scooter to snatch your bag and sometimes your jewellery out of your ears or off your neck/wrist).
- carry valuables, including passport, driving licence, credit/banks cards and cash separately –  best carried in a body belt or in hidden pockets on the inside of your clothes. IMHO bum bags are easily removed, especially when worn so they are actually facing backwards.
- take only the money you need for the night out and not all in one purse or wallet or by one person in the group – divide it up – putting it under the baby in a push chair is not a good idea!
- if you go to an ATM to withdraw money, have someone with you who constantly watches your back, and anyone who is too close. We find it best to actually go to the bank during opening hours, it is much safer; and to put the money away before leaving without allow anyone to see where the money is kept.
- be aware – watch for people following you either on foot or on a scooter; it may be innocent, but be aware anyway.
- “No” is the same in Spanish as in English, with just a shorter vowel – so say it loudly, show confidence and get rid of them. I have considered carrying a pepper spray, but am unsure whether this is legal.
- for personal safety, women alone should not walk up an unlit quiet street.

All this we “forgot”. So the most important tip – be aware and do not “day dream” when out; do not allow yourselves to become distracted and do not advertise your “wealth” by wearing so much jewellery you look like a “Christmas Tree”.

If you live in Spain, or are considering moving here permanently (your main home), then this is the site to check on what is happening.

Top new stories are again concerning illegal homes. If you do intend coming to Spain and buying a house, make sure you hire a lawyer who does all the work – but check yourself anyway. Don´t get ripped off.

When we moved here we made a decision that we would rent rather than buy (good job really cos we are returning to the UK for a short time later this year, before moving on to pastures new). There are pitfalls in the rental market, here as in the UK.

My daughter has been looking for accommodation in a coastal resort not too far away from Sedella. So far the houses (and apartments) we have been shown are either “out in the sticks” or “loads of stairs”, absolutely no good for me I have mobility problems and walking a hundred yards is difficult.

We stress when looking to rent – “somewhere not too far out”, “clean and habitable” (you would be surprised how many are not), “near to amenities” (some people´s idea of “near to amenities” is a couple of miles out of town, no transport of any kind not even a mule – uphill all the way (suppose it is all downhill coming back). What is a short stroll for many, is impossible for me.

We rented one house – it was disgusting. When we arrived we found the beds smelled of urine, going right through to the floor, and the floors had not been washed. There was blood on a couple of the mattresses. The settee in the living area was broken and collapsed under my daughter when she sat down – and she isn´t that big! It took us six months to find somewhere else to go that was decent.

All the houses we rented where we experienced problems of this kind were owned by fellow Brits. One looked lovely on the ad, this was the first house we rented. We made the mistake of not flying out here first to check it out. All the lovely furniture and TV had been removed leaving a couple of broken beds, a TV that was probably as old as I am, the house was damp and very dirty, the bedding had not been changed from the previous occupants and smelled or “sweat” and was covered in cat hair. It had not been lived in since the previous year.

IMHO – visit the area you want to live in. Check out the places on offer. Go back at night and weekends – we rented one which met all our criteria – except a pimp took up residence at the entrance each night with his “girls” working nearby. I am not a prude, but you trying coming home late at night when men are “cruising” looking for a “date”. My daughter was approached more than once by men.

Oh – and ask about the electrics and gas – if the house is old, then the electrics are probably old also. I acted as a conductor in our current house – wires were crossed in the bathroom lighting fitting, sparks shot out in all directions, the current apparently went through me and a flash shot out of the tap I was touching. Dread to think what would have happened if I had been in the bath. No problems at first, I did not feel a thing, but my fingertips on my right hand feel uncomfortable – two weeks or so later. Other problems too numerous to mention. So again – check out the electrics and the gas!

And do not assume that because the person renting the property is a Brit that they will be honest with you … watch out for “I don´t want to see people taking advantage of you so … rent my place, cos I am honest, honestly”!

And … there are good people out their just waiting for you to go rent their property. Just take care, take your time, find the right place.

Returning to the UK with pets, visit the Defra site

This site will give you up to date information on travelling back to the UK with pets, taking into changes made in January 2012 – these changes make it much easier to take your pet with you to the UK.

Information, rules and regulations for expats and holiday makers brave enough to drive in Spain

When the Spanish do things they do them with style, and that includes crashing their cars!

Yet again tragedy strikes on the Spanish Costa’s as 3 children die of drowning. The same scene plays out repeatedly on television with the camera showing a close up of a grieving mother either clutching the lifeless body of her child or a photograph.

I have seen very young children in the sea and community pools without lifeguards, parents or a responsible adult in attendance. On the whole the children were poor swimmers and unaware of the risks involved, or ignored them!

I do agree in allowing children to grow up and take risks, but surely this should be limited to acceptable risk (or maybe I have been involved in assessing risks in the workplace for far too long). Surely parenting includes leading your child through the learning process leading to adulthood, without being “over protective”.

I have to say that on the beach I was on today, not only were lifeguards in attendance, but police on quad bikes and a helicopter, the holiday season is really underway! We actually saw someone helped to safety.

I don’t normally take any notice of news items about religion but I just couldn’t resist one headline which stated that the Pope demands respect for Sunday. Actually, Pope Benedict XVI appealed for renewed respect for Sundays as he celebrated Mass at St Stephen’s cathedral in Vienna during a three day visit to Austria. I assume he was talking to Catholics?

In my humble opinion, I cannot see how religion – in its current form – has any place in modern society, the time of the Church ruling the people has passed and that is exactly where it should stay, firmly in the past. While I respect that people have a right to follow the teachings of the church if they so choose, I would ask these people to respect my decision not to. I have my own values based on honesty and integrity. They suit me, they will have to suit them.

When I die I will be cremated, my ashes scattered over the mountains of Spain, just a few words to mark my passing. I believe we are born, we live, we die. No soul, no heaven, no hell.

I am astounded that the McCann’s have been formally named as suspects in the disappearance of their daughter Madeleine. According to press reports the police believe that Kate killed her daughter accidentally and have offered her a deal if she confesses. I question how the police came to this conclusion.

Apparently, a British sniffer dog picked up the scent of a dead body in the apartment and samples, including suspected traces of blood, have been recovered from the scene. The UK’s Forensic Science Service has spent the past month analysing these traces of blood/DNA. The Portugese police officers “believe” that traces of Madeleine’s DNA were in the McCanns’ car, hired 25 days after she disappeared.

Whilst the Portugese police are not allowed to give details of an ongoing investigation somehow the press obtained details from a reliable source, “allegedley” from within the police department.

1. If Kate and Gerry were suspects, surely they were being watched by the police?
2. Assuming they were, where (and how) did they manage to hide their daughter so well in such a short space of time, how did they move Madeleine from the hiding place to the car hired 25 days after her disappearance and how did they manage to dispose of her body?
3. In order to do this, how did they evade the press, public and attention of family/friends?

Like most people, I just hope that some day Madeleine is returned to her parents, alive and well. In order for this to come about, surely the attention of the police should be on tracing Madeleine.

Update: it is alleged that the police have asked for Kate’s diary and the couple’s laptop computer. If they were responsible for Madeleine’s s disappearance, would they be stupid enough to write anything in a diary or include details in an email. I think not!

A 15 year old Italian male is found guilty of murdering the head teacher of a school. Should this man be deported to what is a safe European country, or is deportation a breach of his human rights?

It is about time that countries who are members of the EU be given the right to deport criminals who have committed such a serious offence back to their country of birth. IMHO he gave up any human rights the moment he killed another human being. At 15 years of age you know that to kill is wrong, you are aware of the consequences of your actions, and you should be held responsible for them.

Another serious question is “what about the human rights of the man’s widow and family”? Shouldn’t the family be allowed a say in the fate of the man who murdered their loved one?

In answer to one question, his solicitor stated that it was highly unlikely that this man, when released, would come into contact with the dead man’s widow and that reports from prison confirmed he was “unlikely” to reoffend. How many times have we heard this same comment and yet the person, on release, has resumed their old lifestyle. It appears this man has lived in the UK for many years and has no family in Italy. Being allowed to live in the UK should come with responsibility, to uphold the laws of the land and to live in harmony with other citizens.

If he truly repents, then he should willingly leave the country and give the man’s family the peace they deserve.