Spain Property Portal Magazine June 2011

issue 3 June 2011

INSIDE:

Featured Properties on the Website Fantastic Bargains available Right Now!

Food Glorious Food!

Eating out in Javea tastes so good

Six Years Later

After moving to Spain in 2005, is life still a Bed of Roses for Geoff and Maureen?

Also:

View From the Web

How to tell your SOAP from your AJAX

Spain? Isn’t That Just for Pensioners?

The Great Spanish Exodus Explained

Interview with the Devil Are White Villas all White?

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June 2011

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June 2011

3

It’s Getting Hot! Welcome to the June Edition of the Spain Property Portal Magazine.

It’s getting hot here in Spain. The Summer has finally arrived after some extended wet weather and it seems that Summer feels he has something to prove this year.

Also getting hot is the Spain Property Portal website.

We’ve had an extremely busy few weeks since the last magazine edition and a sudden influx of new Estate Agents and properties led us to having to redraw the Featured Properties pages in the magazine.

We’ve focused on the Costa Blanca region in this months magazine. We have an interview with Sandra O’Neill of White Villas in Spain, who are based in Rojales, Alicante. We visit the most wonderful restaurant in Javea and we also delve into the history of that famous hideaway for the Ex-Pats, Torrevieja.

Keeping up the theme of feedback from people who actually live in Spain, we have an eyeopening interview with Geoff and Maureen Rawlings who moved to Mollina in Malaga at the start of 2005. Like any good fairy tale, their story has highs, lows and a happy ending.

Our Webmaster gives us a short lesson in internet abbreviations this month. If you don’t know your HTML from your ASP, or you think AJAX will hekp keep your sink clean, be sure to check out this quick lesson. Something or Someone has got our Under 35(ish!) author upset this month and they give us their views on what some are calling the Great British Exodus from Spain.

Well, that’s the magazine wrapped up for another month, if there’s anything you’d like us to include in future issues, simply email me at info@spainpropertyportal.com and we’ll try to fit it in. If you have an article you think people might be interested in, you can contact us at the same address.

Until next time, stay cool in the Summer months, remember the sun block and if you’re visiting Spain on holiday, be prepared for the heat.

If you want to keep up to date with everything happening on the website, be sure to check out the links below: www.spainpropertyportal.com on.fb.me/gfpP20 twitter.com/SPropertyPortal spainpropertyportal.wordpress.com

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June 2011

3 Bed Country House in Cantoria 129,000€

4 Bed Country House in Huercal-Overa 55,000€

2 Bed Villa in San Juan de los Terreros 80,000€

3 Bed, 2 Bath Country House in Arboleas 115,000€

2 Bed Country House in Valor 50,000€

2 Bed, 2 Bath Townhouse in Los Gallardos 116,000€

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June 2011

2 Bed Apartment in Denia 139,000€

3 Bed, 2 Bath Villa in Javea 320,000€

3 Bed, 2 Bath Apartment in Benidoleig 99,000€

2 Bed Villa in Cumbre del Sol 169,000€

3 Bed, 2 Bath Villa in Moraira 399,000€

2 Bed Apartment in Moraira 110,000€

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June 2011

View From the Web Helpful Tips on the Internet

The Internet is packed to the brim with abbreviations. I’ll try to help you out a bit and explain a few you might come across whilst browsing.

If you spend any amount of time browsing the internet then you will almost certainly have come across an abbreviation of some description. I’m going to list some of the more common ones you might see and try to explain a bit more about them.

HTML: The most common one you will see on the internet. This stands for Hypertext Markup Language and just simply means the main building blocks of pages on the internet. If you want to see it in action click View -> Source in your browser and you will see the HTML of the webpage you are currently on.

PHP: This is also a common language on the internet used on websites like Facebook and Spain Property Portal. PHP stands for Hypertext Preprocessor and is a script that runs before a webpage is loaded, making calculations and database queries to display in HTML format.

POP: If you’ve ever used an email program you will have come across this. POP stands for Post-Office Protocol and is the most popular protocol for sending Emails. Put simply, this is the way that your computer connects to your remote mailbox to retrieve your emails.

SMTP: This is another one you will find in your Email program and stands for Simple Mail Transfer Protocol. This is the method your computer uses to send emails to another user.

IPv4 / IPv6: If you’ve been reading the technology news lately, this is one you will have seen recently. If you plan to read the technology news from now on, this will be in the news quite a bit. IP stands for Internet Protocol, the v4 / v6 is the version number. Every computer connected to the internet has an IP address which uniquely identifies you. IPv4 is a series of numbers seperated by a . between 0 - 255. and looks like this: 192.168.1.1. This version is limited to 4,294,967,296 different IP Addresses and these are rapidly running out, hence the introduction of IPv6 which has 3.4×1038 available addresses. IPv6 is being tested right now and soon enough ISP’s (see below) will start to use them. An IPv6 address looks like this: 2001:0db8:85a3:0000:0000:8a2e:0370:7334 ISP: ISP stands for Internet Service Provider and is the company who serve the data from the internet to your computer.

SSL: For people who use online banking or PayPal, you’ll see this quite often. SSL stands for Secure Socket Layer and is an encryption process designed to protect the pages your computer is currently using on the internet from being viewed by another. If you are ever asked for bank details, check your web browser is showing in green or with a padlock in the address bar to make sure your information is being protected.

That’s the essentials done. If you have any questions or would like some help, feel free to email me at webmaster@spainpropertyportal.com www.spainpropertyportal.com

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June 2011

The Great British Exodus...?

A View of Spain From a Resident Under 35(ish!)

According to the British Press and other sources the Brits are leaving Spain in their droves. Is it true? Possibly, I don’t have access to the information. Is it a problem? Not on your Nelly!

When I was asked to write this column as an Ex-pat who had lived in Spain for a number of years, my first reaction was no, what on Earth could I have to say that people would find interesting? After some coaxing and one or two bottles of the local brew, I agreed, stating that I would like to just tell it how I saw it.

I decided that if I was to be able to structure a column about life in Spain, I’d need to do some research into how the professionals do it, so I subscribed to some newsletters and blogs that deal with Spanish Life.

I’ve recently read a number of articles discussing how Spain is on a downhill spiral and that the British Ex-Pats are leaving in their droves. It’s true that the number of Ex-Pats here are fewer than there were in 2005. I don’t think it’s a problem though. Why??!!! I hear you all shouting at the page, well in 2005 there were a lot of British people living in Spain, benefitting from the massive surge in the housing market, making far too much money and profit from a clearly bloated market. The problem was, a lot of the people who followed the money here were only attracted by the money and were the sort of people that would do anything to get some.

This led to a lot of people trusting the wrong people, buying property from them and losing a lot of money. This spiralled and got out of control until the bubble burst a year later. Once this happened, the majority of the agents who were less trustworthy, packed up and shipped back to the UK, leaving reputable agents who are still running successfully in a less bloated market. This can be seen in other areas than just the housing market, in 2005 there were a lot of people who I’d describe as “Jeremy Kyle candidates” living and working here. Now they have all packed up to queue for their council flats and Giros in the UK once more. In 2005 the crime rate in my area was on the rise. A year later it fell sharply and has steadily since.

In my opinion, the great exodus happened 4-5 years ago and that was a good thing as it took a lot of bad people back to the UK. The people who live here now are the people who are serious about living in Spain and enjoying life here and I personally don’t think as many people are leaving as there were 6 years ago. Just because there are fewer people it’s not a bad thing. The people here now are the nice, honest people and generally life is much better for those people. There are many benefits to the Great British Exodus of 2006. House Prices here are almost to the same level as they were in 2003, you can sit in a bar without having to listen to a Jeremy Kyle extra shouting and swearing and you can deal with a businessman without having to worry too much about whether they will still be there next week.

Spain is back to how it was in 2003. This is the Spain I love: quiet, relaxed and inoffensive. Yes a lot of people have left over the last couple of years, a lot of nice people too, but generally it’s now a much nicer place to live precisely because of that. info@spainpropertyportal.com

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June 2011

1 Bed Villa in Alcontar 28,000€

Land in Maella 12,000€

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3 Bed, 2 Bath Villa in Arboleas 199,995€

3 Bed, 2 Bath Villa in Arboleas 195,000€

5 Bed Townhouse in Maella 46,000€

8 Bed, 4 Bath Townhouse in Rafales 96,000€

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June 2011

2 Bed Apartment in Torremolinos 199,000€

2 Bed Apartment in Torremolinos 175,000€

2 Bed Apartment in Fuengirola 279,000€

4 Bed, 4 Bath Country House in Bunyola 899,000€

3 Bed, 3 Bath Country House in Alaro 599,000€

3 Bed, 2 Bath Apartment in Peguera 369,000€

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June 2011

4 Bedroom, 3 Bathroom Villa in Benferri 189,000€

5 Bed, 2 Bath Villa in San Vicente del Raspeig 330,000€

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2 Bed Apartment in La Zenia 65,000€

3 Bed, 2 Bath Villa in Guardamar del Segura 169,950€

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June 2011

Interview With the Devil

We Find Out If Sandra at White Villas in Spain Really is a Normal Human Being Excerpts from an interview in June 2011 with Sandra O’Neill, the founder of White Villas in Spain, an estate agency based in Rojales, Alicante.

Sandra has been living in Spain for 10 years and is married to Jose Manuel. She tells us that she decided to become an Estate Agent eight years ago after experiencing difficulties with the agent who she purchased her home with. and hearing “some dreadful stories” from other people in the same situation as her. Because there seemed to be no rule of thumb as to what was the right way and what was the wrong way here in Spain Sandra started studying for her Gestion Inmobiliaria in 2007. She passed the degree in 2009 and became a fully licenced Estate agent in Spain setting up White Villas in Spain.

What do you think of the editors heading for this article?

My husband thinks its relevant! No, but seriously I dont think that buyers look at us like that in Spain, you still get the very small minority that dont like to deal with estate agents but thats because they know it all, so we are happy for them to carry on without the support!

Most buyers want the support of an agent to take them through the whole purchase process.

You’ve been here a few years now, what’s changed in that time and what makes you stay?

To me the only changes that have happened are down to the economic downturn, Spain just doesnt seem to be getting it right at the moment with its economy, prices are being increased on fuel, tabacco, food retail and yet there are now over 5 million unemployed in Spain!

My home is here in Spain now and after all said and done, the sunshine and the lifestyle makes me stay.

What sets you apart from other Estate Agents in Spain?

We are here from the start with our sellers and buyers, taking them through the whole procedure untill the end and after. We help with any little aspect like NIE´s, property insurance, life insurance, mortgages, bank accounts, translations for any little problem, ie medical or police. With the sellers we will help them through the sale saving themselves lawyers fees and also give them advice on currency exchange if required. We are only small and thats how we like to stay, so clients are allways dealing with the same people.

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June 2011

How has the Economic Downturn affected your business? Is it as bad as people are saying?

No, its not too bad because of the properties dropping in price we have had more investors in.

Sales are more difficult to gain from normal puchasing clients as they seem to think that even after they have seen some great bargains, if they leave it a little while longer the prices will drop even more!

I have had clients do this recently and miss out on the property they most wanted.

What would you say to people who are thinking of buying a property here, but worried about the devaluation and losing money on the purchase price?

This is now the best time to buy property here, most properties have been reduced by 20% in the last year, if not more! Property prices are not going to fall much further, there seems to be alot more sellers recently saying that this is the bottom line, no offers ! or take it off the market and rent it. We have seen a large increase in rental traffic. So if you want a holiday home or a permanant residence, or you are looking at a rental investment, this is definately the time to do it. Apartments for rental investment that we were selling at 120,000€ can be now purchased between 65,000€ and 95,000€ What keeps you in Spain, instead of packing everything and moving back to the UK? My husband, my work and the weather (not sure if they’re in that order!)

Why did you choose the Costa Blanca and not another part of Spain, or indeed another country?

Location is so important when moving abroad, I wanted to be near to good connections, ie airport, motorways, beaches, residential areas (but not live on one). Also, the Costa Blanca area offers the most sunshine during the year and the mildest weather.

To me the Alicante southern region was the best area as within half an hours drive I could be at the airport, the beach, towns such as Elche, Alicante, Torrevieja and Murcia.

I feel that with the Costa Blanca you can usually meet 99% of your property specifications.

And lastly, what advice can you offer to people who don’t know where to start when looking for a property abroad, or indeed to invest some money in overseas property?

Start talking to us, we are here to help you and find you what you are looking for. We are not into pressurised selling, we want you to be happy with your purchase and know that we are still here for you if you need us after. I had a terrible experience when I purchased my first property here and yes they would definately be called the devil! I went into this business to make sure people had the help and security of purchasing a property here and not to go through my experience.

Sandra O’Neill was talking to Spain Property Portal Magazine in June 2011.

To contact White Villas in Spain, call them on (+34) 966 712 730, (+34) 630 434 189 or visit their website www.whitevillasinspain.com

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June 2011

2 Bed, 2 Bath Duplex in Huerta Nueva 88,000€

3 Bed, 2 Bath Villa in El Pinar de Bédar 299,950€

3 Bed, 2 Bath Apartment in Huerta Nueva 80,000€

3 Bed, 2 Bath Country House in Huercal-Overa 259,000€

3 Bed, 2 Bath Townhouse in Urracal 87,000€

3 Bed Country House in Albox 129,400€

info@spainpropertyportal.com

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June 2011

4 Bed, 4 Bath Townhouse in Riviera del Sol 275,000€

5 Bed, 3 Bath Villa in Alhaurin el Grande 530,000€

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3 Bed, 3 Bath Apartment in Riviera del Sol 210,000€

2 Bed, 2 Bath Country House in Monda 195,000€

2 Bed, 2 Bath Apartment in Calahonda 145,000€

3 Bed Country House in Alhaurin el Grande 260,000€

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June 2011

2 Bed Duplex in Entre Naranjos Flores 49,950€

4 Bed Duplex in La Zenia 115,000€

2 Bed, 2 Bath Duplex in Los Altos 119,000€

3 Bed, 2 Bath Townhouse in Playa Flamenca 127,000€

2 Bed, 2 Bath Apartment in Playa Flamenca 105,000€

2 Bed, 2 Bath Apartment in La Zenia 99,000€

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June 2011

Life in the Sun, Six Years On

After moving to Spain in 2005, we met Geoff and Maureen to find out if life is a Bed of Roses Through the negativity, doom and gloom so often a feature of today´s news when discussing a possible move to Spain it´s sometimes hard to imagine there are thousands of non Spanish nationals settled and living fruitful happy lives here.

Moving house is a stressful enough experience but add to this moving country and for many, even after finding the perfect property, it becomes too much and a plan, often hatched over several years, crumbles.

Sadly the popular press and broadcasters do little to dispel these concerns, choosing instead to popularise any stories involving tragedy and scandal. Is this what we really want? Would it not be refreshing to see a report on just a few of the people who have relocated and are still enjoying a life in the sun?

It really is not too difficult. Just a little time spent in Spain will soon reveal there are many many people who have opted for a life here.

With any relocation there will be all manner of concerns that need to be addressed and who better than to do this than the people who have actually taken the plunge.

Geoff and Maureen Rawlings from Wiltshire made the big step back at the start of 2005. They had booked a rental property in Mollina and were all set. Their house was sold, the packing was done but just two weeks before their scheduled departure, the results of various medical tests came back and revealed Maureen had bowel cancer. For many this would have certainly been justifiable cause to pull the plug on a long time dream, but after a frank chat with her GP, during which she was told she would receive better treatment in a Spanish hospital, they decided to go ahead. After, what Maureen describes, as fantastic treatment and after care in Antequera hospital she has now been in remission for 6 years.

On arrival in Spain they made appointments to see 3 or 4 agents to start the search for a new home.

They had no fixed ideas regarding the type of property and also wanted to remain open minded about locations, knowing that as soon as they saw the right house in the right place they would know. There were only a couple of things that they were both certain about, they would not buy a property from the first Estate Agent, on the first day and they would not buy anything off plan.

Work commenced on their off plan house, which they bought on their first day, from the first agent they met with in January 2005. www.spainpropertyportal.com

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They had been taken to a stunning 2,500 metre plot in Moraleda de Zafayona some 40 minutes northwest of Granada and fallen in love with it. The lovely 3 bedroom house with swimming pool they had built was completed within 6 months and then the landscaping of the plot got underway.

Trees were planted, flowerbeds put in and Geoff recalls using a golf buggy to help seed the lawn area. A year later a further large guest annexe was added and at last could they could sit back and enjoy the fruits of their labours.

Moraleda had a small ex-pat community but was predominantly Spanish. This was a very big factor in it being chosen as the place to settle.

Geoff had a longstanding love of motorbikes so treated himself to a little 50cc scooter which he soon outgrew and replaced with a Honda Rebel, which he still owns but again outgrew so added a 600cc Honda Shadow Cruiser to the collection. Maureen a western line dancing enthusiast was persuaded to start classes in the town.

Over 5 years life trickled on and they both became fully absorbed by their new Spanish lives. Picking up the language, by no means fluently but to a reasonable degree, opened more doors and they were both truly happy. Both loved their home, the people and the location they had chosen to see out their days.

On April 13th 2010 all was so very nearly shattered. A quick ride out for Geoff on the Honda Shadow was all it took. 200 metres from home, a vehicle reversed straight out of a drive hitting Geoff and shearing his left leg clean off 4 inches below the knee. This was genuinely life threatening and had it not been for the quick thing of Antonio, a local plumber, and Casi, a neighbour who cradled Geoff and applied a pressure bandage to the wound, this story would have a far sadder ending. Thirty minutes after the accident an air ambulance picked Geoff up and whisked him to the Virgen de las Nieves hospital trauma unit.

Both Geoff and Maureen are so emphatic about the amazing treatment Geoff received in this hospitals care. An infection created complications but within 6 weeks Geoff was back at home with a temporary prosthetic limb which was soon replaced with a full time version.

It would have been no surprise, at this point, if Geoff and Maureen had decided to return to the UK. Often this is considered to be the safe option for far less serious problems. It wasn´t an option they chose or indeed considered.

They now lived in Spain, loved it and saw it as home. Geoff´s accident was undoubtedly serious and even now, fully recovered, life minus a limb would require big adjustments.

The sometimes cold climate in Granada along with a garden that was now to difficult for them to maintain required a move and this, although they have now relocated, is still a cause of great sadness.

Geoff had been insured with the Spanish motorcycle insurance company who took up his case and in just 6 months won his case and settled the compensation. In November 2010 they drove to Almeria and a local agent based there, found them a beautiful detached house just a few minutes outside of Arboleas village. Again it has a pool and lovely gardens but all smaller and more manageable. The climate in Almeria is undoubtedly warmer and more suitable.

It’s still very early days as Geoff and Maureen only moved in full time in March 2011 but the early signs are good. The village is friendly and Maureen is already attending various dance classes. Geoff has just taken delivery of a new German custom trike that will go down very well with the locals.

Both still miss their Moraleda house which is now on the market but they are also beginning to see the advantages of their new home.

We wish them every success. info@spainpropertyportal.com

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June 2011

4 Bed, 2 Bath Country House in Oria 75,000€

2 Bed, 2 Bath Duplex in Palomares 84,000€

2 Bed, 2 Bath Apartment in Palomares 72,000€

3 Bed Country House in Alcaudete 72,000€

4 Bed Country House in Mures 118,000€

3 Bed Townhouse in Martos 19,000€

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June 2011

3 Bed, 2 Bath Villa in Desert Springs 175,000€

Cafe Bar in Torremolinos 29,995€

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3 Bed, 2 Bath Villa in Los Gallardos 275,000€

Cafe Bar in Fuengirola 24,995€

3 Bed, 2 Bath Duplex in Los Gallardos 150,000€

Unisex Hairdressers in Fuengirola 16,995€

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June 2011

Food Glorious Food!

Tucked away in a corner of Javea is La Cocina... This is one attraction you just cannot afford to miss!

In a unique microclimate that has recently been named by the World Health Organisation as one of the healthiest in the World is Restaurant La Cocina in Javea, Alicante.

Opened in November 2008 by Cliff and Laurie Board, La Cocina is quickly earning a reputation as a place to enjoy a culinary masterpiece and boy is that reputation well earned.

La Cocina is an original restaurant. From the layout of the eating area to the menu, everything is different here. When you first enter the restaurant, the first difference is the open style kitchen that allows you to see your food being prepared. We were sat at a table and allowed some time to peruse the menu.

At first glance the menu appears to be a standard English menu, but on closer inspection you notice that the owners have paid special attention to ensure that the details matter.

Yes you can have your standard Prawn Cocktail, (as the Wife did), but sitting happily alongside this most British of starters are both Spanish starters and English starters with a Spanish flavour.

I chose to start with the Bacalao with Plum Tomatoes, having had the Bacalao as a Tapa previously I felt in my comfort zone, but I wasn’t prepared for this. As far as I’ve always been concerned, Cod is Cod no matter where you eat it. You can find some places that undercook the batter so that its a little soggy, but generally, it’s all the same. The Bacalao at La Cocina has to be tasted to be believed, there is a little hint of Bay leaf in there and brings out the flavour of the fish to perfection. My wife was equally happy with her choice of starter. Never one to be adventurous when ordering in a restaurant has tended to make her something of a connoisseur of prawn cocktails and I was told that this was somewhere in her top ten. “Fresh” was the word that described the starter, the salad was crisp, not soggy as some can be and I’m told that the prawns tasted like they had arrived about 5 minutes before we did.

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After the fabulous starter, I have to say I was anticipating the main course. I had stayed on the safe side again and gone for the Spicy Pais Vasco Style Beef Fillet and my wife had chosen the Sea Bream Fillet with Creamy Mushrooms.

Well, what can I say? The beef fillet simply melted in my mouth and the sauce was delicious. I’m not normally a saucy person, but the Pais Vasco sauce just made this dish complete. If I could have, I would have had second or third helpings.

My wife, on the other hand does enjoy a sauce with meals. Her Sea Bream she tells me was cooked to perfection and the sauce served with the fish was so nice she wanted to ask for the recipe. The only drawback for my wife was that there wasn’t enough sauce, but then my wife says that after almost every meal we eat out.

Unfortunately after the main course, my wife and I felt unable to do justice to the desserts.

Although they all sounded delicious, we were both of the opinion that if we ate any more it would leave us feeling bloated and drowsy, so with a heavy heart we asked for the bill.

The bill was slightly higher than you would possibly pay in another restaurant in Javea, but the quality of the food and service more than covered the difference. I’m not the sort of person who says that lightly (just ask the wife!), but La Cocina deserves the accolade of making me delve a little deeper into my pockets when eating out.

Eating at La Cocina is an experience, not just a meal. We enjoyed the event so much that we have even written a review, something I’ve not done in over 30 years of eating out. If you are in the vicinity of Javea, visit La Cocina. You will not be disappointed, the staff are lovely, the decor is wonderful, especially with the open plan kitchen to watch the magic happen and the food is simply indescribable.

Restaurante La Cocina is located in the port area of Javea a few minutes walk from the sea in the direction of the old town.

Summer Opening Hours are from 7pm until late. http://www.lacocinajavea.com/

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June 2011

3 Bed Villa in Fuente Piedra 109,950€

4 Bed, 4 Bath Country House in Alora 250,000€

3 Bed, 2 Bath Townhouse in Fuente Piedra 99,000€

2 Bed, 2 Bath Apartment in Huerta Nueva 99,000€

3 Bed, 2 Bath Townhouse in La Alfoquia 114,950€

2 Bed Villa in Turre 130,000€

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June 2011

2 Bed Villa in Cuidad Quesada 79,000€

2 Bed Apartment in Cuidad Quesada 78,000€

3 Bed, 2 Bath Villa in Algorfa 299,000€

3 Bed, 2 Bath Country House in Competa 199,000€

3 Bed Villa in Sayalonga 252,000€

2 Bed, 2 Bath Apartment in Nerja 294,000€

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June 2011

3 Bed, 2 Bath Villa in Cuidad Quesada 174,950€

3 Bed Townhouse in Cuidad Quesada 99,950€

2 Bed Villa in Playa Flamenca 89,950€

4 Bed, 4 Bath Villa in Sotogrande 550,000€

4 Bed, 4 Bath Country House in Alcuescar 372,000€

4 Bed, 2 Bath Villa in El Puerto de Santa Maria 237,000€

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June 2011

2 Bed, 2 Bath Apartment in Cuidad Quesada 159,000€

4 Bed Villa in Pinoso 179,995€

3 Bed, 2 Bath Townhouse in Villena 87,995€

2 Bed, 2 Bath Townhouse in Los Montesinos 114,900€

3 Bed, 2 Bath Villa in Los Altos 140,000€

2 Bed, 2 Bath Villa in Playa Flamenca 125,000€

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June 2011

A Brief History of Time...

Torrevieja Style Torrevieja is notorious as a haven for the British Pensioners but the Regional Dish wasn’t always a Full English Just 30 minutes from Alicante Airport, Torrevieja is the first place the majority of British Pensioners look at when searching for a retirement home in the sun.

This favourite of the Ex-pats started from the most humble of beginnings as a simple Guard Tower watching the coast for invasion and a few cottages which housed the guards. The city takes its name from these humble times as the “Old Tower”, or “Torre Vieja”. This all changed in 1803, when King Charles IV of Spain ordered the movement of the Salt Production from the town of Torre la Mata 5km away into Torrevieja itself.

The town grew with the introduction of the Salt Production offices and homes were allowed to be built alongside the old tower until 1829 when the whole town was completely destroyed by an Earthquake.

Due to the importance of the salt production to Spain as a home-grown commodity and the export earnings, the salt basins were quickly reconstructed and the town grew once more under the direction of the military architect Larramendi.

Torrevieja began to thrive after the reconstruction and exported the majority salt production to other countries, mainly Sweden and Holland. By the beginning of the 20th Century, however, a quarter of the salt production was being shipped to other parts of Spain.

The salt production in Torrevieja is still an important industry in the city and a major employer. There is even a museum dedicated to the industry and the importance it has had on the growth from a simple watchtower to the great city that stands there now.

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In 1931, King Alfonso XIII in one of his last acts before fleeing the country gave the town of Torrevieja city status by special grant.

The new city continued salt production during and after the Spanish Civil War and the period during the rule of Franco was relatively quiet until the late 20th Century when tourists discovered the city.

The tourism boom also increased demand for full or part time residency in the city and by 2004 it was estimated that there were over 7,000 British born residents living in Torrevieja. This lead to Torrevieja receiving the nickname the “Costa del Yorkshire”.

The INE (Spanish Census) of 2005 showed that the city had 84,838 residents, and the ayuntamiento (district council area) had 95,531 residents. By January 2008 this figure had reached 103,154 of which less than half were Spanish. Over 7,000 of the Spanish residents were originally from Madrid this is the reason among Spanish people that Torrevieja is known as “la playa de Madrid” (The Madrid Beach).

According to the 2005 census, 13% , some 12,500 residents, of the Torrevieja population were British born.

Regards from Torrevieja, Alicante

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