Ever wondered Why Does Your Pool Suddenly Feel Colder as we’re past the mid pont of August? We’ve all been there. It’s 4:00 PM on a scorching late August afternoon here on the Costa Blanca. You’ve just finished a brilliant, cheap menú del día down at your favorite local spot,…
Category: Expat Tips and Resources
Living In Spain
The Great Grocery Divide: Comparing UK and Spanish Supermarkets
I’m comparing UK and Spanish supermarkets here and adding a bit of an insight on how shopping differs between the two countries. I’ll also mention the rise of the British discounters back in the UK, while wondering if these stores will ever arrive in Spain. The weekly supermarket shop is…
Living In Spain
Don’t Just Research The House – Research August
Research August And Research Winter Too Buying a property in Spain is exciting. I’ve always suggested to people they need to rent before buying, once they’ve found an area they have fallen in love with. Ideally a 6 month rental so you experience the summer and also winter. You’ve spent…
Expat Tips and Resources
One Of Our Best Purchases For Keeping Cool: the Einhell Battery Fan
When Soph had a lock up unit on Lemon Tree Market, the summer months were very, very busy but extremely hot. The pop up shades stretched across the ailsle offered little actual shade, the two sombrilla took the direct sunlight away, but again didn’t really help cool things down. So…
Expat Tips and Resources
Walking Football In Spain
Walking football in Spain is becoming more and more popular, for those living out here. This is one of those things that sounds niche until you see it in Spain and realise it fits the place rather well. The game is slower, the pace is friendlier on ageing knees, and…
Funnies
My Dave In Spain Funnies
Not everything about Spain has to be serious! Here are my Dave In Spain Funnies as an easy reference point. Over the years, some of my biggest Facebook posts haven’t been travel guides or breaking news—they’ve been the light-hearted observations about everyday life that thousands of people recognise instantly. From…
Legal and Visa Information
Royal Decree 253 2025: The Important One For Residents
Royal Decree 253 2025: The Quiet Shift Every Spain‑Based Resident Should Have on Their Radar There’s a particular kind of law that doesn’t make headlines but still manages to rearrange the furniture of everyday life. Royal Decree 253 2025 is one of those. It slipped into the Boletín Oficial del…
Funnies
Tipping Attitudes
Tipping. So good old Facebook had a group with a debate about tipping and how much. This is something we do, almost evry time we go out. I’ve previously done an article here on this subject. If we’re having say just a drink, we’ll leave the change if it’s coins…
Funnies
Holiday Numpties The Great Sunbed Wars
Slight confession here, for my 30th we went to a hotel and 3 of us one evening decided to remove over 30 towels and dumped them in the main pool. 𝗛𝗼𝗹𝗶𝗱𝗮𝘆 𝗡𝘂𝗺𝗽𝘁𝗶𝗲𝘀 — 𝗧𝗵𝗲 𝗚𝗿𝗲𝗮𝘁 𝗦𝘂𝗻𝗯𝗲𝗱 𝗪𝗮𝗿𝘀 AKA **𝗧𝗵𝗲 𝗥𝘂𝗻𝗻𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗢𝗳 𝗧𝗵𝗲 𝗦𝘂𝗻𝗯𝗲𝗱𝘀.** Every hotel has them. 𝐓𝐡𝐞 𝐡𝐨𝐭𝐞𝐥 𝐛𝐫𝐨𝐜𝐡𝐮𝐫𝐞…
Living In Spain
Costa Blanca Markets: A Weekly Tradition Worth Getting Up Early For
The Costa Blanca markets are one of those things that people discover on their first week here and then quietly build the rest of their week around. I know people who’ve lived on the Costa Blanca for twenty years and still won’t miss their local market day. It’s not just…