St. Valentines

The Catholic Church is advising lovelorn singles to direct their 14/02 requests for love to St Raphael, rather than St Valentine. Over the years St Valentine has come incorrectly to be associated with finding love, the Church says. He is the patron saint for those who have already found their soulmate. St Raphael is the patron saint for happy encounters and it is to him those fearing the Valentine’s post should properly direct their prayers. Continue reading St. Valentines

A tad harsh, methinks – and house prices on the up?

Lenox says on his blog (link) that: I received an anonymous five-page letter today in English entitled: ‘When will the truth be told about the Prior’s and the illegality of their house in Vera?’ adding ‘Will your newspaper continue to print incorrect facts?‘ (sic). The letter (posted in Garrucha by ‘a fed up Brit’) takes the view that the Priors knew all about their house being illegal, but carried on regardless and that the huge Continue reading A tad harsh, methinks – and house prices on the up?

Modesto Lopez explains why he shopped corrupt mayor of Ohanes

Modesto Francisco Lopez Ortega is the promotor who can be seen in this infamous video giving the corrupt mayor of Ohanes (a small village above Almeria) 30,000€ for a building license. After falling out with the mayor, he handed over the video to the Guardia. The Mayor (now ex mayor), who was allowed by PSOE to resign “with dignity” from his post and his membership of the party (early retirement, apparantly; going to spend more Continue reading Modesto Lopez explains why he shopped corrupt mayor of Ohanes

Marisa Laguna – smooth as silk in Garrucha

If bored and in Garrucha, you could do worse than pop into Marisa Laguna’s shop at the top of the Calle Mayor (entering from Las Bouganvillas, just where it turns one way). There’s the entrance. Marisa Laguna is a designer and artist who works only in Thai silk. From her workshop in Madrid she creates paintings, ties, wraps, Spanish fans, Spanish shawls and much more in pure silk, with wonderful handpainted designs on top. She Continue reading Marisa Laguna – smooth as silk in Garrucha

El Algarrobico vanishes under Greenpeace netting

El Algarrobico, everybodies favourite hotel on the beach in Carboneras, disappeared under 1800o m2 of green netting as Greenpeace yet again called for the expropiation and demolition of this half built hotel on the beach. Some 60 Greenpeace volunteers turned up to help out, and were quickly surrounded by a “large” number of police and Guardia units after the Azata del Sol (the owners of the hotel) watchmen called for help, but were permitted to Continue reading El Algarrobico vanishes under Greenpeace netting