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NORTH TOWN
Altea, Costa Blanca
GOLF COURSES
Alhama Signature Golf
NEW COMPANY PROFILE
Introducing WEB TV ALIS & UPNOW
wine regionS D.O.C. of Rioja
Centre of Studies Escobar
cover image: San Miguel EstaTes - see page 7
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PAGES 15
issue 11 AUG 2017
free
#Edition11 • August 2017
Spanish recipe
The Tesla battery: the final solution for a greener home? (Part 1)
25
Gazpacho...
6
Wine Region RIOJA
8&9
30 & Introducing... 31 WEB TV A life on the course...
ALHAMA GOLF
13
. . . e l fi o r P y n a New Comp
34 & 35 August already, where is the year going?
Scuba Diving in Spain: Cabo de Gata
21
18
2017 Tour de JuguetteSportif
contact ALIS:
ask@alifeinspain.com peter.clarke@alifeinspain.com
This months edition of A Life In Spain Magazine is packed full of features. Including: A new series on north Costa Blanca towns, which might inspire you to explore new and exciting areas of this vast country we live in. For more energetic amongst you, there is our regular feature on golf courses and also the start of a new series of articles on scuba diving which is sponsored by Adventure Divers who are based at La Manga. This months wine region focuses on the exciting and vibrant D.O.C. Rioja. This region is well worth spending a few days exploring and sampling its delights. Remember – all of our articles and over 4,000 properties for sale and rent are available online at:
www.alifeinspain.com ALIS is not responsible for the accuracy or content of any articles published in the magazine or online and proffessional advice is reccomended. ALIS does not endorse any company advert or article herein. We try to make sure the content is accurate but cannot be held responsible for inaccuracy.
TEL: 660 170 355 deposito legal: MU 1390-2016
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05
The Tesla battery: the final solution for a greener home? (Part 1)
No, is not a bird, it’s not a plane, it’s a battery!! Mind you is not just any battery According to recent statements by Jeff Evanson, one of the heads of Tesla, it will not only be a battery, but two. On the one hand, a battery focused for domestic use and the other one of higher storage capacity, scalable, and apparently would be more focused to the industry. Not only that: it seems that the first of them (the domestic battery) could also be rented in order to make it more affordable. Let’s eliminate our electric bills. To understand where the rumours come from, we must go back to a few weeks ago. In February, during a presentation to investors, Musk said that in the coming weeks the company would launch a battery designed for homes designed to eliminate once for all the electric bills. It was not a bluff, not a long-term project: The design is done, and should enter into production in by next month in August. Why a battery and how it affects you. To install electric solar panel at home is something that many can do. But it has two drawbacks: first it is expensive, (nothing much we can do about that) and depends on whether you are in a place with enough sun to be amortized. In our case, I presume that we are in the Costa so if we have anything here is sun and more sun. However electricity produced must be used immediately because if we store it isn’t easy or cheap. For years, a form of efficient storage has been considered as the Holy Grail in the renewable energies. Solar panels and other forms of energy production are becoming more efficient, cheaper and more ubiquitous. One of the main problems with these energies, however, is that is not available on demand. Sometimes it’s sunny; sometimes it is raining for weeks. The bottleneck is therefore on an efficient method to store the energy produced for the time when the source is not available.
That has traditionally been expensive, very expensive and always has raised serious doubts about its repayment. Furthermore, the capacities of most current batteries are only for about 3 days. In the words of Musk, Tesla could supply the demands of an average home for about a week, same as the Toyota Mirai. Mirai is the Toyota car which can be supplied with hydrogen fuel cell and its battery can be removed and placed in a stand on the wall and provide electricity to the entire household if needed. Li-ion or hydrogen? Today there are two types of battery: hydrogen or Lithium Ion. Hydrogen fuel cells are already used in some cars as the Audi A7 Sportback H-tron or the above mentioned Toyota Mirai. They have, however, an important limitation: Its price and the costs to process hydrogen. Although they have more autonomy than lithium-ion, its production and distribution are more expensive. That is, they are not as sustainable from an economic point from an energy point of view; I am referring to the energy it takes to produce and to transfer the hydrogen to the filling stations and from there to the cars. On the other hand, there are lithium-ion batteries. They have allowed Tesla to position itself as a real threat to the traditional car taking into account its autonomy level. With the highest level of innovation seen in recent years, with its energy density that is growing year after year and with more efficient recharge systems.
As if that were not enough, Tesla is building right now in the middle of the desert Nevada his Gigafactory. Gigafactory is the birthplace of these Tesla batteries. An interesting fact is that it is estimated that by 2020 Gigafactory will produce more storage batteries of this type that the whole world have produced during 2013. By 2020, it should charge the energy needs for half a million of Tesla cars. If we must bet it seems that the lithium-ion has the
www.alifeinspain.com - Aug 2017
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Wine Focus...
D.O.C. of Rioja Rioja – the home of bright, berry-scented, barrel-aged red wines made from Tempranillo and Garnacha – is arguably Spain’s top wine region. It is certainly the most famous, rivaled only by Jerez. Located in northern Spain, Rioja’s vineyards trace the course of the Ebro River for roughly 60 miles (100km) between the towns of Haro and Alfaro.
BACKGROUND Rioja was the very first Spanish region to be awarded DO status, back in 1933, and in 1991 became the first to be upgraded to the top-level DOCa (see Spanish Wine Labels). The region’s winemaking history stretches back to Roman times and has continued almost unbroken ever since. Production flourished between 200 B.C. and the sixth century A.D., as evidenced by amphorae and other wine-related artifacts uncovered by archaeological excavations. It slowed during the Moorish occupation of the Iberian Peninsula, which began with the dramatic invasion of 711 A.D. and lasted for several centuries until the Christian Reconquista of the late Middle Ages. From the 16th Century onwards, Rioja’s wine production developed steadily. It enjoyed a major boost in the late 19th Century, when the vineyards of neighboring France (Europe’s dominant wine nation) were devastated first by mildew, and then by phylloxera. During this time, wine merchants arrived in Rioja from Bordeaux, seeking new wine supplies. This French connection sparked Rioja’s long-standing love affair with oak barriques – which by that point had become a standard part of Bordeaux winemaking equipment. Pronounced oak aromas and flavors are a quintessential component in the Rioja wine style (both red and white) to this day. In 1901, the devastating phylloxera mite finally arrived in Rioja, plunging the region’s vineyards into decline. It wasn’t until the 1970s that fresh life was breathed back into the industry, with some foreign help.
The rioja wine region is contained mostly within the la rioja administrative region after which it is named (itself named after the rio oja river which flows through it), although its northernmost vineyards creep over into neighboring navarra and pais vasco (see rioja alavesa). The region is demarcated less by political and administrative boundaries and more by geographical features, namely the ebro and foothills of the sierra de la demanda and sierra de cantabria mountain ranges. Castillo de davalillo, rioja, spain The cantabrian mountains, which flank rioja to the north and west, provide shelter from cold, wet influences of the atlantic ocean. This is a significant factor in the local climate, which is significantly warmer and drier than that just to the north. The region’s soils vary from place to place, with the finest containing high levels of limestone. Other than tempranillo and garnacha, graciano and mazuelo (carignan) are also used in red rioja wines. A few wineries, notably marqués de riscal, use small quantities of cabernet sauvignon. All top-end red rioja is matured in new oak barrels. American oak is the preference, but many wineries use a mix of american and french oak. This contact with virgin oak is what gives rioja wines their distinctive notes of coconut, vanilla and sweet spice. The amount of time that a rioja wine spends in barrel dictates which of the official rioja ageing categories goes on the label: joven, crianza, reserva or gran reserva. Rioja joven wines, which are intended for consumption within two years of vintage, spend little or no time in oak (jóven is spanish for “young’). Rioja crianza wines are
aged for one year in barrel, and one year in bottle. Rioja reserva wines spend a minimum of one year in barrell, and cannot be sent to market until a full three years after vintage. Rioja gran reserva wines – the region’s very finest – undergo a total of five years’ aging, of which at least two years is spent in Barrel. White rioja blanco is often obscured by the volume and success of the red wines, which account for around 85 percent of the region’s output. The region’s top white-wine grape was once malvasia, which was used to create flavorful, high-alcohol wines, often with significant oak influence (this riojan signature is not limited to the red wines). Today, the emphasis has shifted to viura (aka macabeo), and the ubiquitous chardonnay, to give a slightly lighter, fresher and more international white-wine style. Also authorized for use in white rioja are garnacha blanca, tempranillo blanco, maturana blanca, verdejo and sauvignon blanc. Although the rioja’s vineyards focus very strongly on producing wines in the regional style, and for sale under the rioja do appellation title, other styles of wine are also produced here. The most notable of these, and perhaps the most unexpected, are sparkling wines – not something with which rioja is often associated. The key to this apparent conundrum is that certain parts of the region are officially authorized to produce spain’s iconic sparkling wine, cava.
www.alifeinspain.com - Aug 2017 www.alifeinspain.com - july 2017 07 09
South Town...
San Pedro del Pinatar
San Pedro del Pinatar is a small town and municipality in the autonomous community and province of Murcia, southeastern Spain. The municipality is situated at the northern end of Murcia’s Mediterranean coastline, the Costa Cálida, and borders with the province of Alicante. It has an area of almost 22 km², and a population (2008) of 23,738. Facing the tranquil waters of Mar Menor, San Pedro del Pinatar is one of the main tourist destinations on the Murcia coast. Traditionally a seafaring and agricultural centre, San Pedro del Pinatar has become one of the principal tourist towns on Murcia’s Costa Cálida.The main attractions of San Pedro are concentrated around the beach and shore. Here you will find Lo Pagán, a lively tourist centre which has all kinds of holiday facilities, such as hotels, bars, restaurants and shops. Next to the long promenade facing the Mar Menor are extensive beaches such as La Puntica or Villananitos. This watery setting, combined with the facilities at its marina, means you can do a great many sports, such as sailing, scuba diving or windsurfing. As well as one of the town’s architectural symbols, the Quintín mill, the surrounding area contains the Salinas de San Pedro del Pinatar Regional Park, a space where a great many species of migratory birds come to nest. You can also benefit from the therapeutic properties of its mud, especially suitable for treating bone and skin ailments.
Flamingos in salt lake
San Pedro del Pinatar continues to be a very popular Spanish holiday destination and the population increases during the summer months as people from Madrid (and other Spaniards) with second homes descend on the area. Lots of free entertainment is provided by the council.
Mud baths
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. . . e s r u o c e h t n o e f A li
ALHAMA GOLF Designed and signed personally by Jack Nicklaus
this long and spectacular golf course, with five Great Lakes, original circular tees, wide fairways and fast greens is waiting for you. It also has 116 peculiar and varied formed bunkers and a landscape that retains all the native flora and other species indigenous to the area which makes Alhama Signature golf course also a Natural Reserve. This course is a big challenge for any player.Both professional and amateur, and at any level, this perfectly calculated design, forces you to think carefully about every shot, before arriving at any of its greens wrapped by strategic bunkers. The maximum length of
the course is 6884 meters and is a par 72. Year Built 2009 Designer/s Jack NIKCLAUS SIGNATURE Manager AntonioSolano Layout difficulty 5 (1 easy to 5 hard) Approx. tee interval 10 min. Buggy recommended, Not necessary Buggy allowed in fairway Yes Maximum Handicaps Gents: 28 Ladies: 36 Green Fee, normal price 60â‚Ź. To book, Tel: 968 328 024
North Town...
ALTEA Altea is without doubt one of the most charming towns to be found on Spain’s ‘White Coast’, located in the region of Alicante on the Costa Blanca. The town is just 11 kilometres north of Benidorm, yet the two resorts are worlds apart. The old section is perched on top of a hill
All in all Altea is a pretty town, popular with both holidaymakers and those fortunate enough to be able to live in the area; it has a slowly growing community of multinational expatriates. The name Altea derives from the Moors who conquered the region and named it Althaya, meaning health to all. Altea has excellent amenities, however, if you want all-night discos and bright city lights on your holiday, give Altea a miss. This town is a holiday haven for the more discerning tourist who will be captivated by its medieval cobbled streets, its picture book old quarter and the delights of its palm-fringed seafront promenade. The ascent to the old section along steep slopes and stepped streets reveals a broad horizon at every turn and extends along the entire La Marina region. The silhouette of the Peñon de Ifach on one side and the Helade range on the other, frame the view of the sea, with the ever present gulls sweeping low over the town. Excursions Eight kilometres from Altea, heading inland, is Polop, a small town surrounded by orchards and pine groves, which is highly recommended for those who seek peace, quiet and cool summer nights.
From the Via Crucis which presides over the town, you can obtain superb views of the surrounding valleys, which owe their present appearance to the work of the Morisco farmers from many years ago. Benidorm makes a great day out with its eclectic collection of bars, playgrounds and beaches and ferry rides to the Balearics can be made from nearby Denia. Cuisine As with most of this region, traditional rice dishesare what you will find most on the Spanish menu. For international cuisine, Benidorm is just a short drive. At present, the economy of Altea is based on tourism, which started to grow in the 1950s because of its good weather, beaches and the labyrinthine streets with whitewashed house-fronts that characterize the town. Altea is protected on the north by the bluffs of the Serra de Bèrnia, creating an especially mild microclimate. Its seafront esplanade is planted with palms. This maze of cobbled narrow and crooked streets with glimpses of the bay is one of the better features of the town. Other sights include the church of La Mare de Déu del Consol (“Our Lady of Solace”), easily identifiable by its picturesque blue and white domes, tiled with glazed ceramics. There are numerous quaint restaurants near the church, some with a view over the Mediterranean. Note that, if visiting by car, you will need to park several blocks away from the church area as the immediately surrounding area is either off limits to cars and/or the streets are so narrow and steep (or have stairs) that cars cannot pass. Puerto Campomanes Marina Greenwich is another main sight you can visit. Located near the cliffs and towards Calpe, it is the biggest port of Altea, the perfect place you can look for all kind of sea activities: from sailing, jetski, daily excursions, canoeing or just having a drink in The Bay Club. If you are looking for a good restaurant to taste all kinds of Mediterranean rices, Altea is a great option.
www.alifeinspain.com - AUG 2017
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2017 Tour De JuguetteSportif On Saturday 3rd June 2017, seven riders from Team “Cyclogical” based in Ciudad Quesada travelled to Ibi in the North Alicante region to participate in the 7th Tour De Juguette Sportif (which means the tour of the toys) in and around the Serra de la Penarroya mountain range. The team left from “Cyclogicals” shop in Quesada at 5.00am and travelled in 3 cars along the AP7 heading for Elche where they picked up the Madrid road following it for 30kms before turning off towards Castalla and finally into Ibi. We arrived at 6.10am and started to prepare our bikes. We had no need to register as a couple of us went through on Friday evening to register and collect our numbers, goodie bag etc. We had also done a recce so we knew where to park and found a good tapas bar for our customary coffee and tostada for breakfast. We all arrived at the start line at 6.50am where there were already hundreds of cyclists in front of us. The race was due to start at 7am and having taken part in many of these Sportifs in the past I knew that they are normally 15-20 minutes late in starting, however bang on 7am off we went, one thousand five hundred cyclists. We left the town of Ibi and headed for Tibi where we had our first Cat 3 climb Puerto Benifallim, there were 5 major climbs in total, 2 Cat 2 climbs and 3 Cat 3 climbs with the Puerto De Tudons being the toughest by far, the Puerto De Tudons has featured in many top races including La Vuelta (Tour De Espana) after the first climb we proceeded to Xixona then down to Muxtamel, Busot, then up through the Sierra De Cabazon Del Oro towards Sella through Benasau and headed back towards Ibi. This was a fantastic, scenic and very hilly route. Over the past 7 years, I have done many of these sportifs and have now started to relax, slow down and enjoy them, I even had time to stop and take some pictures. We have 3 young riders with us who are really pushing us older guys, Harry who is our apprentice mechanic is only 18, Dom TJ is 24 and both have been cycling with us for only 9 months and are doing exceptionally well. Lynn’s son, Mathew moved across to Spain in March to start a new life, he gave up smoking, got a new job and took up cycling even although he had never been on a road bike in his life. On his first week I took him out every night for 30k and on a couple of occasions he was physically sick, however through hard work, good training and determination he persevered and is now a very strong member of our group.
Due to the time of his arrival in Spain this was the only available Sportif that he could enter, not exactly an easy one to start with, however he just got his head down and got on with it. One of our riders Paul Cheetham from Dubai who has been riding with us for approx 5 years was over on holiday for a month and also entered this sportif as part of our team, Paul is a very strong rider and has been riding road bikes since before he was able to walk. He has many race wins and awards to his name, Mathew and Paul pushed their way to the front of the peleton where Paul led the race for over 100k dictating the pace of the original peleton and then the breakaway group, Mathew stayed on his wheel as long as he could. After completing the last major climb the breakaway raced back to Ibi to cross the finish line, when they returned to Ibi, Paul was just pipped to the post and finished 2nd with Mathew finishing in an incredible 5th place out of 1500 riders an amazing result. The rest of the group also performed exceptionally well and were delighted with their results, unfortunately there was no silverware and no prize giving ceremony which is proving quite common place now at local Sportifs with most people receiving a small commemorative plaque or medal engraved with your name and time. The event was exceptionally well organized front the start to the finish, on completion we proceeded to the food hall where there was a secure area to park your bikes, free food, drink, beer etc. for the competitors. Massages were available for anyone who chose to wait and also the swimming pool was open for those who wanted to cool off. This was a really gruelling route which covered a total distance of 142kms with2792 metres of pretty tough climbing thrown in for good measure. All in all a great day was had by all with stunning views and perfect temperature of 32 degrees. The Team who took part were Gary Routledge, Steve (turbo) Buckley, Mathew (moth) Robertson, Alan Quearns, Dom TJ, Harry Morrow and Paul Cheetham. All of the Team had an excellent but tough day’s cycling and are looking forward to their next event in a few weeks time. Team “Cyclogical” meet every Tuesday and Thursday nights at 5.30pm and Sunday mornings at 8am and cover between 90 and 120kms at a moderate to fast pace so if you fancy a challenge come along and join us. Looking to improve your fitness, riding ability and speed and also have a new group of friends to train with then why not come along and give it a try or call Gary on 637487377.
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Scuba diving in Spain: Cabo de Gata
Cabo de Gata With63 kilometres of coastline, Cabo de Gata is a genuine paradise for scuba diving and snorkelling enthusiasts. This enclave is just 20 minutes by car from the city of Almeria and full of hidden coves, cliffs and unspoiled beaches with amazing coastline and crystal-clear waters all year round. Thanks to the excellent underwater visibility, the mild temperature of the water from January to December, the calmness of the sea, and over a thousand animal and plant species on the sea bed, this area is a popular choice for diving fans. Because it is a protected nature area if you decide to practise scuba diving on your own, you will need to obtain a permit from the Environment Department of the Regional Government of Andalusia. Also, underwater fishing is prohibited in the entire park. The best option is to hire the services of one of the specialised diving clubs in the area, such as Isub or Alpha Buceo. A unique experience awaits divers. You will be able to contemplate hundreds of fish of varying colours, species and sizes: starfish, octopus, sea urchins, sponges, algae and the best-preserved Poseidonia meadows along the Mediterranean coast
Gazpacho Spanish recipe
. . . s t n e i d e r g n I
6 plum tomatoes, chopped 4 green onions, chopped 1/2 large cucumber, peeled and chopped 1 red bell pepper, seeded and chopped
1/2 cup water 2 tablespoons vinegar 2 tablespoons olive oil salt and pepper to taste
. . . t i k o o c o How t Combine the tomatoes, green onions, cucumber, bell pepper, and water in a blender; Blend until smooth.
Add the vinegar and olive oil; Blend again until well integrated. Season with salt and pepper to serve.
www.alifeinspain.com - AUG 2017
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WE HELP PEOPLE THROUGHOUT SPAIN EVERY DAY
The Avalon team explain how diǀerent the complex funeral system is here in Spain to both non-residents and those that live here all year round. This aǀects everybody so we are committed to helping all UK, Irish and European citizens make informed choices. • We also check all types of insurance to ensure each person is covered for everything they need to be. • We oǀer a tailor made funeral plan to suit every client which is fixed at today’s cost.
Avalon Team Avalon has onjces throughout Spain
671 935 072
All our members are covered in Spain and the UK. You will automatically be covered immediately regardless of health issues or age.
Introducin
ALIS partners with UP NOW Costa Blanca to make TV Documentaries! UP NOW Costa Blanca is a film production company specialized in making documentary style films. It’s founded by Natalia Hansson and Torben Thoger and with Torben’s 40 years of experience in making documentary style film and Natalia’s media background, a series called: “Costa Blanca – the place to live and visit” was created in early 2016. The purpose is to promote the towns as the place to enjoy and visit to the International Community living and interested in the area. These documentaries are human interest stories where we hear about the towns through the people that live and have their businesses there. Each film is between 20 and 60 minutes in length. Since early 2016 the company has been busy filming the towns of the Costa Blanca North where 10 documentary films have been made.
ng WEB TV
In the autumn 2017 will begin filming the towns of the Costa Blanca South and Costa Calida with the help of “A Life in Spain� magazine. In August edition, we present: The Altea TV Documentary. In this 35-minute documentary, you will discover why Altea is the place to live and visit. The filmmakers interview 20 business owners and ask them what is special about this place and why they chose to live and work there. You will also hear interesting anecdotes and information about the area told by the Mayor. The documentaries are being aired on International, Local TV Channels from Albir & Torrevieja reaching thousands of International residents and visitors on the Costa Blanca. The documentaries are also shown to hundreds of thousands of viewers worldwide via online channels. If you would like your town to be next, email:
peter@upnowcostablanca.com
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. . . e l fi o r P y n a p m o New C
Have you ever thought about teaching abroad? There are of course two ways you can approach this, either you can join an international school or start your own Well Paul Clarke and Sue Humphrey did the later, but not without a few problems along the way. We sent our roving reporter to find out more. Read on to find out how they went about building, what is now, a very successful language academy.
Centre of Studies Escobar 968 00 22 53 info@csemurcia.com www.csemurcia.com
Tell me Paul what is your background, how does one get started in this type of teaching? Well we are both from very different backgrounds, mine is pure education. Primary education degree, masters degree, headship etc. However, Sue’s background is quite different. She came to teaching through IT and a very successful international career. Having moved to Spain, she needed to earn a living, so did a CELTA with Cambridge in Serville. So you can see very different backgrounds, but both with a determination to succeed.
So Sue, how did it all get started? In brief. I was living in Spain doing a lot of interpreting and a little teaching on a self employed basis. Paul came over to visit his family, one of my clients. He was looking for a change of scene, and we got together. We did not set out to build an academy and after an uncertain year Paul got a job at Kings College Murcia. We had been teaching on a small scale but not enough to make ends meet and Paul´s job gave us the security of a regular income. So I guess we are grateful to them for giving us the impetus to have a go at developing our own business, properly. We originally developed the business to teach English, but we quickly found that Paul was in demand from those children needing help in international schools. We also discovered that a lot of people from other countries needed Spanish classes, not just the British community here in Murcia but also other nationalities too. We currently offer classes in Spanish delivered by native Spanish speakers as well as English teachers with a high level of Spanish. So you now have these beautiful purpose built premises but surely it wasn’t always like this, Paul? No, not at all, we started at home in a converted bedroom and the dining room. I quickly discovered that teaching a foreign language is nothing like primary education. Students want the opportunity to speak and they want to hear a native speaker. That has probably been the greatest lesson we learnt early on, native speakers, for us are crucial. We then went from two teachers
Opening of new academy to needing six new teachers in about 4 weeks. From there the business just grew and grew. Eventually we realised we needed new premises. One day, Paul was waiting for me after finishing a class in a local secondary school. There had been a bookshop on the corner near to the school for many years, but it had moved, some years ago. So we decided to take it. 6 months later we needed bigger premises and 12 months after that we had to double the size again. The business continued to grow, incorporating, German, French, Spanish and then apoyo, help for children with difficulties in other subjects. We began to establish some rules for the business. This is not the conventional way to do things, as any business guru would tell you. First you start with a business plan, goals, finance etc. We didn’t do that our academy grew organically. Then, to our surprise, at the start of 2015 the landlord of that first shop offered to build a purpose built academy for us. Having equipped the academy, we opened on 1st October 2016, with about 600 students of all ages and abilities.
I think the first thing is to understand you clients needs, whether you do this through a survey and traditional research or like us you get to know the real people who you are going to work with and build a local reputation for good work. It is also essential to be qualified, at least a 120 hour TEFL, linking up with your local Cambridge exam centre is also useful. Finally don’t try to undercut the competition, look at other local academies and see how much they are charging for classes, it is probably the minimum that it is possible to charge. The other thing is to do it legally. Don’t think that you can do a little teaching from home and be OK. If it grows in reputation, you will get caught and the fines are substantial. Get a good accountant and follow their advice.
So what is the secret to building this type of business, if there is one?
Or simply visit their website, www.csemurcia.com
If you are interested in Spanish classes or have a child at an international school contact Paul paul@csemurcia.com If you are interested in other language classes, English, French or German, or your child needs Apoyo for a Spanish school please contact Sue, sue@csemurcia.com
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Music in Spain
n o i t c u d o r t n I n
A
When speaking to a non Spanish native and you ask “What do you imagine Spanish Music to be”? The likely response from the majority would be “Flamenco”. Of course they would be correct but as well as there being more than one form of Flamenco music, there is a plethora of other regional forms of folk involving other instruments including, as well as the guitar, the bagpipes and flutes. Spain has much more to offer in other genres including pop and rock. Some of course are versions of western commercial output but many have developed a style which has it’s own distinctive Spanish flavour.
Here are a few that I may feature in the future:- Fito y Fitipaldis, Bebe, Duo Dinamico, Amparanoia, Ojos de Brujo.
There are many “middle of the road” artists that have broken into general European and American markets, such as, father and son Iglesias, Ricky Martin, Los Bravos and (dare I mention?) Las Ketchup. But there are so many more, that when you live in Spain, should be listened to. You could surprise yourself at the wealth and breadth of great music that is available.
In future issues, we shall be featuring a particular genre or artist and talk more about Flamenco and other folk music to whet the appe-
It is only natural though, that we begin with a quick look at Flamenco in some of it’s forms. It should not be described as being purely Spanish. It’s early origins were almost certainly Andalucian, developed by Spanish Roma Gypsies (Gitanos) with some Arab African and Jewish influences although nobody can be entirely sure. Flamenco comes in three main forms. El cante, the song. El baile, the dance. La guitarra, the guitar playing.
talk radio europe
When is it time to reduce your price? 1.Buying Analysis: Rebecca Serwotka – Your favourite local property expert, of Inmobiliaria Real Estate Agents in Ciudad Quesada & published author of “Moving Forward – 25 Essential Rules For Buying & Selling Real Estate Without Going Crazy.” Request your FREE copy today! If you’ve had your home on the market for quite some time, and still you’re waiting for that elusive offer, you need to seriously think objectively about why you believe you’re still not sold. Some people price their homes based on pure emotion, and find it very hard to break free from the potential monetary loss. Comparing what they paid for the property originally, together with the tidy sum invested in renovating can make their price inflated, compared to the current market value.
I’m always talking about prices in my blog, but everything comes down to money. If you’ve not spoken with a professional Real Estate Agent about fixing your perfect price, then go and have a chat with them. If they’re allowing you to put on your own price asking price, based on your feelings, and not the current market value, then they’re not doing you any favours. Who wants to keep being on call for any potential viewing appointments, then when the buyers do come around, they tell you what a wonderful home you have… leave, and never seen again. It’s not that they didn’t like your house, they probably did, but they’re running away faster than being chased by the bulls through the streets in Pamplona, because you scared them away… with your price! If you’re not up to pricing your property correctly, then maybe you shouldn’t be on the market. If you make the mistake of pricing the property based on what you want to buy, you need to remember, in the property market, there are losses, but there are gains too! Think logically, and if you feel now is the time to lower your price, think about the offer you’ll be putting in on your next purchase. Sometimes you won’t make as big a loss as you think, because you’ll gain it right back with your purchase!
As a seller, you need to focus on the importance of the here and now and not on what has happened in the past. This is not a time to dwell on would‘a, could‘a, should‘a! So sometimes you need to bite the bullet, cut your losses, and weigh up the reasons why you’re on the market in the first place. If you really need or want to move, you MUST price your home accordingly. Buyers aren’t stupid! They will know exactly what they can get for their money, and just because you may have the most beautiful home in the street, doesn’t mean you can ask over current market value. You’ve probably experienced quite a few potential buyers being brought to your home, but ask yourself, how many offers have you even had? If your answer is none, then this is a red flag of truth, waving its ugly head in front of you. The only way you’re going to get rid of that flag, is to sort your price out PRONTO!
Preparation is KEY, the KEY to your new home in Spain!
The property market is always about logic. Think about it logically as a seller, and put yourself in a buyer’s shoes… Would you pay too much? For more information and guidance on buying and selling, please contact us and we will send you our FREE e-book or log on to: www.homes4u.es/new-kindle-e-book to request the link. Think property? Think us, because life’s complicated enough! See our advert in the centre pages of this newspaper.www. homes4u.es are gains too!
www.alifeinspain.com - AUG 2017
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