Shows
Spanish Practices – Living in Spain: Real Life, Real SpainBooze, Fags and sacking Grand Tour's Richard HamiltonForget about the culture and language skills - are Cheap Booze and Fags the biggest danger to your succcessful new life in Spain? And, I sacked Top Gear and The Grand Tours Richard Hamilton for not knowing enough about cars, was I right or wrong to do so? This is our real life, in real Spain. Ten years of adventures since swapping our glorious Victorian House in leafy Essex for a tiny flat in a wild Andalusian village. I was once a Radio Producer in London, not a great one. Feel free to c...
2025-09-1721 min
The Colchester PodcastThe Colchester Podcast Running Special with Will Quince MP & Nina Metson (Couch to 5k) & John Wheatley (Park Run)The Colchester Podcast Running Special with Will Quince MP & Nina Metson (Couch to 5k) & John Wheatley (Park Run)
2021-07-1635 min
Spanish Practices – Living in Spain: Real Life, Real SpainDay 98 - "The End?"Transcript: Day 98 The End? Sunday and the Alarma is over, Lockdown is unlocked, 99 days, it started on Saturday March 14th, but actually I consider that weekend to be the two phoney days of Lockdown. Saturday 14th March was a pretty normal day, the supermarket rammed with people taking everything off the shelves, including the toilet paper, something that the Spanish do not a use a lot of, most prefer to wash in the bidet than smear on the pan, as it were. Sunday was equally as busy...
2020-06-2207 min
Spanish Practices – Living in Spain: Real Life, Real SpainDay 97 - "Of mousy women and men"Full transcript: Day 97 Of mousy women and men Saturday the weather is calm, the sun is shining, I have been doing some extreme weeding on the mountainside and managed to not fall down, the one time I did I thought it was best to relax and just let my body slide to a bit where I could cling on. Our garden in Essex did not have the same extreme challenges, unless you count the incredible numbers of snails that ate their way through most of our English garden. I have been...
2020-06-2107 min
Spanish Practices – Living in Spain: Real Life, Real SpainDay 96 - "Tim Tams"Full transcript: Day 96 Tim Tams Friday and the I made a terrible mistake today, I try very hard now to avoid the TV news from the UK, we have enough to occupy ourselves here with events in Spain. I caught a picture of Headmaster Boris holding a packet of Tim Tams up, from what I understand following a new trade deal with Australia you will get tuppence off this less than delicious biscuit from Australia and the trade deal will end up adding only a gnats thingy to the...
2020-06-2008 min
Spanish Practices – Living in Spain: Real Life, Real SpainDay 95 - "Bonfire Night"Transcript: Day 95 Bonfire night Thursday and now just a few days before everything un locks, the end of the Alarma and the new normal will start on Monday, many Spanish can go back to work and get the working week off to.. er, well er, a two day start, because next Wednesday "we are having a Fiesta" The Fiesta of San Juan to be precise, the beginning of summer and those long summer holidays, after all we have all been working so hard these last few weeks … erm! ...
2020-06-1908 min
Spanish Practices – Living in Spain: Real Life, Real SpainDay 94 - "Assassination"Transcript: Day 94 Assassination Wednesday and the excitement cannot be contained, I am going shopping with Chris, well to be honest he doesn't want me in the first shop, - Mercadona, he tells me he has a routine now and that doesn't include me putting unsuitable items in the shopping trolley. Never mind I am going to the Post Office instead, to pick up a parcel, the Post Office is only open between 8.30am and 2.30pm, the local office is tiny and usually packed, as many Spanish still come and pay their...
2020-06-1806 min
Spanish Practices – Living in Spain: Real Life, Real SpainDay 93 - "Anyone for Tennis"Transcript uncorrected: Day 93 Anyone for tennis? Tuesday and we are battening down the hatches, the wind is returning again with a vengeance, so far, the summer here has not really happened. Today it is overcast and sticky humid. Our Gym has opened, and we went last night, OK so it is not the normal evening busy, but there were people and Chris' class was about half the normal number. What was encouraging was the queue to join the Gym, at one point ten people deep, well social distanced.
2020-06-1707 min
Spanish Practices – Living in Spain: Real Life, Real SpainDay 92 "Dance Off"Transcript (uncorrected) Day 92 Dance off Monday has come, I usually dread Monday as it always brings administration stuff which I really don't care for. By the way if you want to catch all 92 episodes with transcripts of Spanish Practices head over to THE secret spain dot com. Today the administration was our Spanish Tax return, I say our, as we are married it has been done jointly, I get the classification of Woman, the form does not seem to have a code for Partner.
2020-06-1607 min
Spanish Practices – Living in Spain: Real Life, Real SpainDay 91 "Playboy Kings"Transcript (uncorrected) Day 91 Sunday and Uncle Pedro has been doing his weekly Zoom meeting, he likes to surprise the regional Governments, just to remind them all he is the one in charge. So he has brought forward the date when Spain will open its borders to everyone except Portugal, so on Monday 22nd June the Lockdown will be over, for now and so will this Podcast, I still have the story to tell about one of the stupidest things I did some years ago. I will keep that for...
2020-06-1506 min
Spanish Practices – Living in Spain: Real Life, Real SpainDay 90 - "Holidays from Hell"Transcript here: Day 90 holiday from hell Saturday your Sunday and the Spanish Government has started to talk about how they envisage foreign visitors coming to the country, the first lot will turn up on Monday, they are Germans coming to the Balearic Islands. Interestingly about 35,000 people travelled to Spain in May, whilst not holidaymakers, they were mainly people returning back to Spain for work or back to their residency. From all those who travelled, 104 people were detected to have Corona Virus. But in...
2020-06-1407 min
Spanish Practices – Living in Spain: Real Life, Real SpainDay 89 - "Fag End"Full Transcript: Day 89 Fag End Friday and we are off to the Administrator to sell our old car to Carmen, what could possibly go wrong, find out later in this episode. If you want to catch up on previous episodes and full transcripts, go to the secret Spain dot com Today I have been thinking about Satan's smoke. A great many people in Spain seem to smoke, I remember we had to pick up a parcel from a UPS pick up point that turned out to be...
2020-06-1308 min
Spanish Practices – Living in Spain: Real Life, Real SpainDay 88 "Plastic not fantastic"Thursday and the wind is blowing and driving us mad, a new Spanish law on plastic waste might change the way we use single use plastic and three good legs cat gets a scare, oh and something in Spain that has taken longer to build than the pyramids and still isn't finished. Find out more https://www.thesecretspain.com Listen on the radio in London, Surrey and Machester here: https://www.thepodcastradio.co.uk/ Day 88 Plastic not fantastic - uncorrected transcript Thursday and we spent the morning gathering the...
2020-06-1207 min
Spanish Practices – Living in Spain: Real Life, Real SpainDay 87 - "Fake Spanish Waiters"Today the embarrassment of explaining Fawlty Towers to my Spanish friends, an internet outage, and the end of central Government control in Spain Find out more: https://www.thesecretspain.com Day 87 Fake Spanish Waiters uncorrected transcript Wednesday and the Spanish Parliament has approved the Royal Decree for "new normality". It starts in a very good place with central control being released and the regional Governments can go back to being in charge. Well I say Wednesday, it is actually Thursday we had an Internet moment...
2020-06-1106 min
Spanish Practices – Living in Spain: Real Life, Real SpainDay 86 - "Inconvenient Death"Today a story of a TV set and an inconvenient death, and speaking of inconvenience, how dare you ask to transfer money at a Spanish bank without an appointment. find out more at https://www.thesecretspain.com Day 86 Inconvenient Death uncorrected transcript Tuesday and the wind has dropped for the moment so we spent a jolly hour or so cleaning up the mess. We have learned to take a completely different approach to cleaning here. In the UK washing down, spraying paths with the garden hose and...
2020-06-1007 min
Spanish Practices – Living in Spain: Real Life, Real SpainDay 85 - "Testing times"Monday and we are off to buy our new car in the Covid19 world of car showrooms, no coffee, no handshake, just masks and security tape. Has the glamour of car buying come to an end? find out more https://www.thesecretspain.com Day 85 Testing Times uncorrected transcript Monday morning, normally I do the hateful administration work but this morning we are off to the car showroom to collect our new car. Yesterday we did a test run, found the dealer and the car looking rather dusty sitting in...
2020-06-0910 min
Spanish Practices – Living in Spain: Real Life, Real SpainDay 84 - "Car Share"It is Sunday and I have been driving our existing car for the first time, we are buying a new one tomorrow, as in Phase 3 we can go to a car showroom. Can I say that the gear box stick is in quite the wrong place and while we are at it, so is the steering wheel. Find out more: https://www.thesecretspain.com Day 84 Car Share Sunday the start of a new week, Monday brings us phase 3, we have jumped a week, the Alarma itself finishes June 21st, the central...
2020-06-0808 min
Spanish Practices – Living in Spain: Real Life, Real SpainDay 83 - "Hey Ya!"Bad news is good news for us find out why in this episode, also a reflection on the last few months as Andalusia moves into phase three of the Alarma. Find out more: https://www.thesecretspain.com Day 83 Hey Ya! (uncorrected transcript) Saturday, your Sunday and I thought I would take a few moments to reflect, the new normal is becoming normal and throughout the world the death toll from this virus continues to rise, but we are all getting used to it. I wonder if it was like...
2020-06-0707 min
Spanish Practices – Living in Spain: Real Life, Real SpainDay 82 - "Dough Boys"Today a story from the past about two crazy American guys called Ben and Jerry and their weird ice cream, a trip to Leroy Merlin a French owned Spanish run DIY chain. find out more here: https://www.thesecretspain.com Uncorrected transcript here: Day 82 Dough Boys Friday and another week ahead in phase 2, but no, suddenly we are moving to phase three, some changes, restaurants can fill to 50 per cent capacity, shops too, but more importantly this should include inter province travel, living on the edge of two provinces...
2020-06-0606 min
Spanish Practices – Living in Spain: Real Life, Real SpainDay 81 - "Law and Food Order"Thursday and the bloomin wind is driving us potty, along with administration, WhatsApp spats about a community pool and we have a guide to consumer law here in Spain. Find out more: https://www.thesecretspain.com Day 81 Thursday and a bit of a low day, hard to put your finger on it, but the weather is not helping, once again the wind is blowing, the high pressure that makes summer calm and hot has gone north and giving the UK a really great few months. A fitful...
2020-06-0506 min
Spanish Practices – Living in Spain: Real Life, Real SpainDay 80 "Caves and Confusion"Day 80, a day of confusion when we were told our house didn't exist, also we talk a little bit about Spanish Income Tax, and explore some caves in Nerja. Find out more: https://www.thesecretspain.com Day 80 Caves and Confusion Wednesday and the day begins in Spanish confusion as the man that is coming to service Petra and Justin's pool and will first collect the key from our house has rung to say our house number does not exist. I had one of those surreal conversations with him in my very...
2020-06-0406 min
Spanish Practices – Living in Spain: Real Life, Real SpainDay 79 - "Free Money"Day 79 and slowly things are returning, restaurants are opening and the Government is giving away free money and claiming nobody died of Covid19.. although the regional Governments dispute this. Find out more: https://www.thesecretspain.com Day 79 Free Money Tuesday, and yesterday no deaths were reported due to the virus, but the regional Governments have disputed this. Our local hospital has only had a couple of cases last week and this week none. The local beach has opened with a great many rules. They believe that the beach will...
2020-06-0307 min
Spanish Practices – Living in Spain: Real Life, Real SpainDay 78 - "Brucie Bonus"Monday and the day Bruce Forsyth didn't play his cards right, community swimming pools and dirty rain. The daily Podcast diary of a British couple in Lockdown Spain, phase 2. Find out more: https://www.thesecretspain.com Day 78 Brucie Bonus Monday oh how I loathe you, but only because it rained last night for 10 minutes, but it was that dirty calima rain, the brown sand from the Sahara fell and covered everywhere in a sticky glaze. So we spent an hour this morning clearing it up from the outside terraces. ...
2020-06-0207 min
Spanish Practices – Living in Spain: Real Life, Real SpainDay 77 - "Benidorm Brits and Bikinis"Today the story of a railway porter who transformed the whole of the Spanish tourism industry, a story that involves a Bikini and General Franco. Find out more: https://www.thesecretspain.com Day 77 Benidorm Brits and Bikini's Sunday, the eve of Phase 2 and another step toward the new normal here in Spain. Today the Spanish Tourism Minister Maria Reyes Maroto has said that the UK must improve the Covid19 rates before Britain's can be allowed to come back to Spain for their holidays. Last year...
2020-06-0107 min
Spanish Practices – Living in Spain: Real Life, Real SpainDay 76 - "Fiestas and the F-Word"Saturday and the weekend has come with some bad news if you are planning a party in Spain, this is the story of a British couple behind the police lines in Spain, a daily diary of Lockdown. Find out more: https://www.thesecretspain.com Day 76 Fiestas and the F-Word Saturday, and the weekend has come, and with it a rise in Spaniards testing positive for Coronavirus, it would seem, that "somebody said we are having a fiesta" Nearly all the new cases are from people getting together...
2020-05-3106 min
Spanish Practices – Living in Spain: Real Life, Real SpainDay 75 - "Property Nightmares!"Today how we lost a cool £49,000 to a Spanish bank, that we will never see again. Property nightmares and how to avoid them, here in Spain. Find out more: https://www.thesecretspain.com Disclaimer, we do NOT receive any remuneration from advertising, the views expressed our our own and not others. Day 75 - Property Nightmares Friday, Day 75 phase 1 and the blind men are still here, it is confirmed that we will be in Phase 2 by Monday, I we are still a little confused as to what extra b...
2020-05-3007 min
Spanish Practices – Living in Spain: Real Life, Real SpainDay 74 - "Shady Deals"Today shady European Deals and shady terraces, as we continue our daily diary of Lockdown, Spanish style. Find out more: https://www.thesecretspain.com Day 74 shady deals Thursday has arrived and we are awaiting the blind men, not that they are actually blind, but they are hopefully going to fit the awning blinds that run along the top of our pergola. Some rather sad but predictable news from the Spanish economy, and that is 38,508 fewer pensions were paid out last month as the Covid19 virus has been...
2020-05-2906 min
Spanish Practices – Living in Spain: Real Life, Real SpainDay 73 - "Beach Vigilantes"Wednesday and there is news that tourists coming to Spain will be greeted by beach vigilantes, who will be employed to make sure we all socially distance and bathe in the correct safe way. Day 73 of Spanish Lockdown for a British couple and their three-good legs cat. Find out more here: https://www.thesecretspain.com Day 73 Beach Vigilantes Wednesday week two of Phase 1 and we learn that the Spanish Government is going to make sure that you naughty old tourists behave yourself on the costas, if you decide to take a...
2020-05-2806 min
Spanish Practices – Living in Spain: Real Life, Real SpainDay 72 - "Gone to Pot"Could legally growing marijuana save Spains Economy? Today the whole podcast is going to pot, after all it is time we started to chill and relax, before the onslaught of tourists arrive here in Spain. This is the daily diary of a British couple in Phase 1 Lockdown in Spain. Find out more here: https://www.thesecretspain.com Day 72 gone to pot It is Tuesday, and today we celebrate 1,918 lives not taken by the virus, the Health Ministry mis-calculated the figures which represent a 7% drop in the number of deaths.
2020-05-2706 min
Spanish Practices – Living in Spain: Real Life, Real SpainDay 71 "Peseta Pats"Monday and day 71, and a few tips about buying a property here in Spain and what you need to do as a Brit, before January 2020. Find out more: https://www.thesecretspain.com Day 71 Peseta Pats Monday of week two of phase 1, we are still confused about why we have not moved to Phase 2, so I asked my Spanish neighbour from Granada. "There are not enough beds in the Hospital, of the critical kind." She said. It would appear one of the worries is a flood of inter-province...
2020-05-2606 min
Spanish Practices – Living in Spain: Real Life, Real SpainDay 70 - "Tourist Trap!"Day 70 of Lockdown, and Spain will be open for tourists in July says Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez today. What will it mean, and what is it like for tourists here along the Granada coast? The daily dairy Podcast of a British couple and their three good legs cat, living on the Costa Tropical. Find out more here: https://www.thesecretspain.com Day 70 "Tourist Trap!" Sunday comes with a breeze and more Mediterranean sunshine; the Spanish Prime Minister Uncle Pedro has announced today that he is going to start allowing tourism to return to...
2020-05-2507 min
Spanish Practices – Living in Spain: Real Life, Real SpainDay 69 - "Alhambra"Day 69 it is Saturday and a tale of majestic beauty and ticket fraud, the daily diary of a British couple in Lockdown, still, in Spain. Find out more: https://www.thesecretspain.com Day 69 Saturday and the weekend has arrived with thirty plus temperatures, somewhere nearby somebody has some gentle Spanish guitar music playing and the birds are singing away. The Alhambra Palaces have said they plan to open again on the 1st of June and are putting in place social distancing measures, so I guess...
2020-05-2406 min
Spanish Practices – Living in Spain: Real Life, Real SpainDay 68 - "More pain in Spain"Day 68 and the miserable news that we stay in phase 1 for yet another week. The peasants are revolting in Madrid and the leader of the far left Podemos Party - Pablo Iglesias has had to call in police reinforcement to protect his luxury mansion in an exclusive part of Madrid from the hoards complaining that they do not have enough to eat. Find out more at: https://www.thesecretspain.com Day 68 More Pain in Spain Friday and the day dawned full of promise but by the time afternoon came...
2020-05-2307 min
Spanish Practices – Living in Spain: Real Life, Real SpainDay 67 - "Holidays in Spain?"Today do you think you will be taking your summer holiday in Spain this year? Dirty deals behind closed doors and road works. find out more here: https://www.thesecretspain.com Day 67 Holidays in Spain? Day 67 We have reached Thursday of Phase 1, Day 67 of Lockdown. So many numbers, so many days so far. The sweet sound of the birds singing in the trees, the gentle roar of the sea in the bay in the distance has been replaced by a terrific roar of...
2020-05-2206 min
Spanish Practices – Living in Spain: Real Life, Real SpainDay 66 - "Palm Sun Day"Day 66, and this is a story of an old man called Pepe, a palm tree and a trip into the little seaside town of Salobreña. Daily life behind the police lines in Spanish Lockdown. find out more here: https://www.thesecretspain.com Day 66 Palm Sun Day Wednesday of phase 1 and yesterday evening we went along to the big house, belonging to our friends Petra and Justin. We did a bit of watering; they have a great many planters filled with exotic plants that all get thirsty in the warm weather.
2020-05-2107 min
Spanish Practices – Living in Spain: Real Life, Real SpainDay 65 - "Stealing from the sun"Day 65, Tuesday and Phase 1 of the unlockdown, today stealing from the sun and the return of the peseta. Find out more at: https://www.thesecretspain.com Day 65 Stealing from the Sun We are in Phase 1 of Unlockdown – it is Tuesday and the weather is improving, bringing with it our hay fever. We both suffer from it, I have to say that I didn't really suffer in the UK, but although we live in the coast, it really gets me for about a month a year. So...
2020-05-2006 min
Spanish Practices – Living in Spain: Real Life, Real SpainDay 64 - "Wise Words"Day 64 of Lockdown, day one of Phase 1, and life is just starting to get back into gear, albeit with only a few small changes, here in Spain. Today a story of why Ernie Wise influenced our decision to come to live in Spain. Find out more at: https://www.thesecretspain.com
2020-05-1906 min
Spanish Practices – Living in Spain: Real Life, Real SpainDay 63 - "Christmas and The Magna Carta"Day 63 and the reason we don't work Christmas Day anymore, how the Magna Carta protects us but not the Spanish. A daily diary in Lockdown from a British couple behind the police lines in lockdown in Spain. Find out more: https://www.thesecretspain.com The Seaside Gazette https://www.theseasidegazette.com/ Day 63 Christmas and the Magna Carta It is day 63 of our Spanish Lockdown, tomorrow brings some freedom, I think, but in true Spanish Practices style there is a lot of confusion and weird rules. Martin Myall...
2020-05-1806 min
Spanish Practices – Living in Spain: Real Life, Real SpainDay 62 - "Everybody Out!"It is day 62 of our Spanish Lockdown and we have reached Phase 1, well on Monday, here in Granada and Malaga, hooray. But there are plenty of rules to follow. This is our daily diary of life here and a glimpse back into the past when we worked for LBC Radio in London. Find out more here: https://www.thesecretspain.com Full uncorrected transcript: Day 62 It is day 62 of our Spanish Lockdown and the good news is that we can go to Phase 1 of the un-lockdown process here in Andalucia...
2020-05-1708 min
Spanish Practices – Living in Spain: Real Life, Real SpainDay 61 - "Civil Unrest and Manic Mondays"Day 61 and this is the story of a British couple behind the police lines in Lockdown Spain, the real story of day to day life under the Alarma. The frustrations of a loss of freedom despite the Health Region reaching the criteria for the easing of Lockdown, the Government have decided though to keep us in Lockdown. Find out more: https://www.thesecretspain.com Day 61 - Civil Unrest and Manic Mondays It is Day 61 of our Spanish Lockdown, we have reached the point last week when we were hoping for a bit of...
2020-05-1606 min
Spanish Practices – Living in Spain: Real Life, Real SpainDay 60 - "Golf and Grandmothers"We have reached Day 60 and frankly have had enough, but we are taking courage by channeling my Great Great Grandmother (Pictured in the episode art) This is the story of a British couple behind the police lines in Lockdown Spain, the real story of day to day life under the Alarma. Find out more: https://www.thesecretspain.com Here for: Natalie's Golf Conditioning Podcast Day 60 It is Day 60 of our Spanish Lockdown and we have had enough, enough of the weather, enough of not being allowed, sensibly and with...
2020-05-1508 min
Spanish Practices – Living in Spain: Real Life, Real SpainDay 59 - "Bosoms and BirthdaysDay fifty nine. Life behind the police lines in Lockdown Spain for a British couple and their three good legs cat. Today Bosoms and Birthdays Find out more at: https://www.thesecretspain.com Day 59 bosoms and birthdays It is Day 59 of our Spanish Lockdown, Wednesday, there is a rumour that Mercadona has masks for sale in its stores, and if so we will buy some. I notice that the UK Government is encouraging people to make their own out of sticky back plastic and a pair of...
2020-05-1406 min
Spanish Practices – Living in Spain: Real Life, Real SpainDay 58 - "Bombs and Bonfires"Day fifty eight. Life behind the police lines in Lockdown Spain for a British couple and their three good legs cat. Today Bombs and Bonfires Find out more at: https://www.thesecretspain.com Day 58 Bombs and Bonfires It is Day 58 of our Spanish Lockdown, and what a miserable wet day it has been, chilly too. It is quite annoying that the UK is enjoying good weather and we have had, well really quite British weather. A few days ago, we had a massive fire along the vega – th...
2020-05-1308 min
Spanish Practices – Living in Spain: Real Life, Real SpainDay 57 - "Railway Children and Sewers"Day fifty seven. Life behind the police lines in Lockdown Spain for a British couple and their three good legs cat. Today Railway Children and Sewers Find out more at: https://www.thesecretspain.com Day 57 It is day 57 of our Spanish Lockdown and the cold wind has returned and is blowing everything around, making the dogs bark and giving the usually mild-mannered Mediterranean Sea white horses. I do love being by the sea, everyday it is different, different colours, from proper Med Blue down to slate grey...
2020-05-1208 min
Spanish Practices – Living in Spain: Real Life, Real SpainDay 56 - "Churchill and porn"Day fifty six. Life behind the police lines in Lockdown Spain for a British couple and their three good legs cat. Today Churchill and Porn Find out more at: https://www.thesecretspain.com Day 56 It is Day 56 of our Spanish Lockdown and the Mayor of Motril is mad, not in the crazy, dribbling eye swivelling sense, although she might be also doing that too. She is mad at the national Government for setting out the criteria for allowing a Health Area to move to Phase 1 and then...
2020-05-1107 min
Spanish Practices – Living in Spain: Real Life, Real SpainDay 55 "The Pain in Spain"Day fifty five. Life behind the police lines in Lockdown Spain for a British couple and their three good legs cat. Today The Pain in Spain. Find out more at: https://www.thesecretspain.com Day 55 - The Pain in Spain It is day 55 of our Spanish Lockdown and Uncle Pedro has succeeded in shattering the country into tiny pieces. Some parts will move forward to phase 1 including the Basque region which jumps to moving between provinces too, I am sure it has nothing to do with the support that the Spanish Prime Minister...
2020-05-1008 min
Spanish Practices – Living in Spain: Real Life, Real SpainDay 54 - "Naked women and fireworks"Day fifty four. Life behind the police lines in Lockdown Spain for a British couple and their three good legs cat. Today naked women and fireworks. Find out more at: https://www.thesecretspain.com Day 54 Naked women and fireworks It is day 54 of our Spanish Lockdown. Victory in Europe day. Last night there was an enormous fire that stretched along the coastline between Motril and Salobreña. The reed beds were alight, and the fire raged most of the night. It was finally put out at 10.30 in the morning. Weirdly it m...
2020-05-0906 min
Spanish Practices – Living in Spain: Real Life, Real SpainDay 53 - "Buzz Aldrin and Marshall Tito"Day fifty three. Life behind the police lines in Lockdown Spain for a British couple and their three good legs cat. Today back to the sixties and why the Spanish might face chaos Find out more at: https://www.thesecretspain.com Day 53 Buzz Aldrin and Marshall Tito It is day 53 of our Spanish Lockdown, phase zero hasn't brought any real change to our situation here. Except Chris has been able to go to the pool supply shop that is now open. He came back with a boot load of chemicals, but the rules...
2020-05-0807 min
Spanish Practices – Living in Spain: Real Life, Real SpainDay 52 - "Corkscrews and ants"Day fifty two. Life behind the police lines in Lockdown Spain for a British couple and their three good legs cat. Today back to the sixties and why the Spanish might face chaos Find out more at: https://www.thesecretspain.com Day 52 corkscrews and ants It is day 52 of our Spanish Lockdown and a Wednesday worry, the hateful weekly shop is with us once again. This morning our neighbour was stopped by the police on the way back from the chemist. "Where are you going?" – back to my casa "Where have yo...
2020-05-0707 min
Spanish Practices – Living in Spain: Real Life, Real SpainDay 51 - "Cops and Kaftans"Day fifty one. Life behind the police lines in Lockdown Spain for a British couple and their three good legs cat. Today back to the sixties and why the Spanish might face chaos Find out more at: https://www.thesecretspain.com Day 51 Cops and Kaftans It is day 51 of our Spanish Lockdown, and the day started early, Chris had a BBC interview to do on Skype, so I set the laptop up for him and got out the figures and facts just in case they asked him about specific numbers.
2020-05-0607 min
Spanish Practices – Living in Spain: Real Life, Real SpainDay 50 "Fifty days of Lockdown"Fifty days of Lockdown. Life behind the police lines in Lockdown Spain for a British couple and their three good legs cat. Find out more at: https://www.thesecretspain.com A random handful of clips from the last fifty days of lockdown.
2020-05-0509 min
Spanish Practices – Living in Spain: Real Life, Real SpainDay 49 - "Gin and Toksvig"Day forty nine, Gin and Toksvig, Life behind the police lines in Lockdown Spain for a British couple and their three good legs cat. Find out more at: https://www.thesecretspain.com Day 49 Gin and Toksvig It is day 49 of our Spanish Lockdown, the start of phase zero and limited outings for exercise both for children and adults. The day is going to be hot so an early start to build some shelves for a cupboard and to finish plastering over the cables I had put in for the wifi. All done by 10...
2020-05-0406 min
Spanish Practices – Living in Spain: Real Life, Real SpainDay 48 - "On yer bike!"Day forty eight, On yer bike! Life behind the police lines in Lockdown Spain for a British couple and their three good legs cat. Find out more at: https://www.thesecretspain.com Day 48 On yer bike! It is day 48 of our Spanish Lockdown, slowly we are unpicking that lock, last week, the children could go out for a bit of exercise, today we can join them. I went for a walk, I planned to take a gentle ramble into the countryside, maybe accompanied by my trust tape recorder, giving you a...
2020-05-0306 min
Spanish Practices – Living in Spain: Real Life, Real SpainDay 47 "Bank robbers and other bees"Day forty seven, Bank Robbers and other Bees. Life behind the police lines in Lockdown Spain for a British couple and their three good legs cat. Find out more at: https://www.thesecretspain.com Day 47 Bank robbers and other bees It is day 47 of our Spanish Lockdown and the wind has dropped, the sun has come out and the world looks a better place. And you find me outside. Tomorrow we are allowed out to exercise, of course there is an awful lot of complex times and where and when you...
2020-05-0207 min
Spanish Practices – Living in Spain: Real Life, Real SpainDay 46 - "Blue Peter and Alcoholics"Day forty six, Blue Peter and Alcoholics. Life behind the police lines in Lockdown Spain for a British couple and their three good legs cat. Find out more at: https://www.thesecretspain.com Day 46 Blue Peter and Alcoholics It is day 46 of our Spanish lockdown, Chris is busy watching a webinar for managing your gym back into business, it is going to be a long complex journey to open gyms up again. They are a major place where contagion could occur. Until there is a vaccine the...
2020-05-0106 min
Spanish Practices – Living in Spain: Real Life, Real SpainDay 45 - "Flies and poolside cocktails"Day forty five, Flies and Poolside Cocktails. Life behind the police lines in Lockdown Spain for a British couple and their three good legs cat. Find out more at: https://www.thesecretspain.com Day 45 flies and poolside cocktails Day 45 of our Spanish Lockdown. When will it ever end? Uncle Pedro, the Spanish Prime Minister has issued a very complicated phasing of return to halfway normal life. No dates, as it will be based on how many deaths have occurred as each day goes by. It is progress but it does look...
2020-04-3006 min
Spanish Practices – Living in Spain: Real Life, Real SpainDay 44 - "Tea and Pee"Day forty four, Tea and Pee. Life behind the police lines in Lockdown Spain for a British couple and their three good legs cat. Find out more at: https://www.thesecretspain.com Day 44 Tea and Pee It is Day 44 of our Spanish Lockdown and we have cautiously put the cushions out on the garden furniture.. I know it is a bit rash, but looking at the weather, which of course was cloudy again today, it says there should be no more rain for a whole week. The...
2020-04-2908 min
Spanish Practices – Living in Spain: Real Life, Real SpainDay 43 - "Parker and Lady Penelope"Day forty three, Parker and Lady Penelope. Life behind the police lines in Lockdown Spain for a British couple and their three good legs cat. Find out more at: https://www.thesecretspain.com Day 43 It is day 43 of our Spanish Lockdown and I was woken today by the noise of the traffic below us going to work. Which I guess is a good sign. So far only construction and manufacturing companies have been allowed back to work. The kids can go out to exercise and yesterday we...
2020-04-2807 min
Spanish Practices – Living in Spain: Real Life, Real SpainDay 42 "Killer Prawns and Jeremy Clarkson"Day forty two, Killer Prawns and Jeremy Clarkson. Life behind the police lines in Lockdown Spain for a British couple and their three good legs cat. Find out more at: https://www.thesecretspain.com Day 42 Killer Prawns and Jeremy Clarkson It is day 42 of our Spanish Lockdown and Jen and Jack have sent us a picture from their balcony showing a little girl excitedly whizzing down the road on her tiny scooter. For the children of Spain, today is a red-letter day. They are now allowed out...
2020-04-2708 min
Spanish Practices – Living in Spain: Real Life, Real SpainDay 41 - "Shampoo and Donkeys"Today Shampoo and Donkeys Day Forty one of the Spanish Lockdown, the sometimes amusing, diary of a Brit in southern Spain under the 'Alarma' - normal life has stopped. To find out more: https://www.thesecretspain.com The Miba Hotel and Restaurant mentioned: https://hotelmiba.com/ Day 41 Shampoo and Donkeys It is day 41 of our Spanish Lockdown and I should not have mentioned Noah as today it has poured with rain all day, everywhere is damp and miserable. The Mediterranean does not do wet days very well...
2020-04-2606 min
Spanish Practices – Living in Spain: Real Life, Real SpainDay 40 "Monkees and Post"Today Monkees and Post Day Forty of the Spanish Lockdown, the sometimes amusing, diary of a Brit in southern Spain under the 'Alarma' - normal life has stopped. To find out more: https://www.thesecretspain.com Day 40 Monkees and Post It is day 40 of our Spanish Lockdown and if I was Noah in the Bible the floods would have gone, and I would be getting off my Ark by now. Today thin beardy boy, from the local courier delivered our spare microphone, as the other...
2020-04-2507 min
Spanish Practices – Living in Spain: Real Life, Real SpainDay 39 "Boobies and Zoom"Today Boobies and Zoom Day Thirty nine of the Spanish Lockdown, the sometimes amusing, diary of a Brit in southern Spain under the 'Alarma' - normal life has stopped. To find out more: https://www.thesecretspain.com Day 39 Boobies and Zoom It is day 39 of our Spanish Lockdown, last night brought more custard and more bad dreams. I seem to keep getting those high anxiety dreams where I am not in control. I have not really had them since I worked at the radio station. And it...
2020-04-2406 min
Spanish Practices – Living in Spain: Real Life, Real SpainDay 38 "Mary Poppins and Locusts"Today Mary Poppins and Locusts Day Thirty eight of the Spanish Lockdown, the sometimes amusing, diary of a Brit in southern Spain under the 'Alarma' - normal life has stopped. To find out more: https://www.thesecretspain.com Day 38 Mary Poppins and Locusts It is day 38 of our Spanish Lockdown and yesterday evening I made perfect custard. I usually just guestimate the ingredients but as Birds Custard is an expensive commodity here I actually followed the directions on the side.. and blow me you get great custard including the revolting skin...
2020-04-2306 min
Spanish Practices – Living in Spain: Real Life, Real SpainDay 37 - "Mozzies and Orgies"Today Mozzies and Orgies Day Thirty six of the Spanish Lockdown, the sometimes amusing, diary of a Brit in southern Spain under the 'Alarma' - normal life has stopped. To find out more: https://www.thesecretspain.com Day 37 Mozzies and Orgies It is day 37 of our Spanish lockdown and I have been bitten on the bum, it happened the other night. I had thrown the duvet off as it had got to warm, half asleep and half aware of a mosquito in the room, he must have got me right between...
2020-04-2205 min
Spanish Practices – Living in Spain: Real Life, Real SpainDay 36 "Scream"Today Scream and the Gas Board Day Thirty five of the Spanish Lockdown, the sometimes amusing, diary of a Brit in southern Spain under the 'Alarma' - normal life has stopped. To find out more: https://www.thesecretspain.com Day 36 Scream and the Gas Board Day 36 of our Spanish lockdown and the wind is blowing across the sea and through the mountain. It can be very windy here, I believe before this coast was called the Costa Tropical it was called the Costa Wind. It...
2020-04-2107 min
Spanish Practices – Living in Spain: Real Life, Real SpainDay 35 - "Biscuits"Today Biscuits and knickers Day Thirty five of the Spanish Lockdown, the sometimes amusing, diary of a Brit in southern Spain under the 'Alarma' - normal life has stopped. To find out more: https://www.thesecretspain.com Day 35 It is Sunday and day 35 of our Spanish Lockdown. We got up and had breakfast, and I finished my work in the studio. I needed to paint the bottom of the walls, I found some paint and it was still OK. Normal life seems so long ago...
2020-04-2007 min
Spanish Practices – Living in Spain: Real Life, Real SpainDay 34 - "coat" The Spanish LockdownToday Dead Man's Coat Day Thirty four of the Spanish Lockdown, the sometimes amusing, diary of a Brit in southern Spain under the 'Alarma' - normal life has stopped. To find out more: https://www.thesecretspain.com Day 34 Dead man's coat It is day 34 of our Spanish lockdown and the day started fractious, we bickered about something or other, so I took the three good legs cat for his walk to get some space. We are very, very lucky in that we have more than 150...
2020-04-1906 min
Spanish Practices – Living in Spain: Real Life, Real SpainDay 33 - "Pigs and Puppies" The Spanish LockdownToday Pigs and Puppies Day Thirty three of the Spanish Lockdown, the sometimes amusing, diary of a Brit in southern Spain under the 'Alarma' - normal life has stopped. To find out more: https://www.thesecretspain.com Day 33 Pigs and Puppies It is day 33 of our Spanish Lockdown and the day dawned gloomy and it was again raining slightly. This is unusual weather, many of the plants in the garden are looking a bit sad, not only are they recently planted but they are clearly not enjoying the rain.
2020-04-1807 min
Spanish Practices – Living in Spain: Real Life, Real SpainDay 32 - "Quiz" The Spanish LockdownToday Quiz and Crazies Day Thirty two of the Spanish Lockdown, the sometimes amusing, diary of a Brit in southern Spain under the 'Alarma' - normal life has stopped. To find out more: https://www.thesecretspain.com Day 32 Quiz and crazies It is day 32 of our Spanish lockdown, three good legs cat managed to have at least a couple of his fits before breakfast. They have the look of an epileptic fit but are caused by him catching the painful part of his hip. Last...
2020-04-1706 min
Spanish Practices – Living in Spain: Real Life, Real SpainDay 31 - "Custard" The Spanish LockdownToday Custard and Daleks Day Thirty one of the Spanish Lockdown, the sometimes amusing, diary of a Brit in southern Spain under the 'Alarma' - normal life has stopped. To find out more: https://www.thesecretspain.com Day 31 – Custard and Daleks It is Day 31 of our Spanish Lockdown; I am starting to get quite blurry eyed. All day peering into the new computer that arrived yesterday from China, has made me quite myopic. The first thing we did when it arrived is to wipe the whole thing do...
2020-04-1608 min
Spanish Practices – Living in Spain: Real Life, Real SpainDay 30 "Rulers" The Spanish LockdownToday Rulers and Prince Caspian Day Thirty of the Spanish Lockdown, the sometimes amusing, diary of a Brit in southern Spain under the 'Alarma' - normal life has stopped. To find out more: https://www.thesecretspain.com t is day 30 of our Spanish Lockdown and the sun has shone through the high cloud. the weather though is unseasonably cool. The traffic this morning is noticeably noisier, there has been a very slight lifting of the Lockdown to allow some industries and some construction return to work. I have started recording my work...
2020-04-1508 min
Spanish Practices – Living in Spain: Real Life, Real SpainDay 29 "Tuna" The Spanish LockdownToday Tuna and potties Day twenty nine of the Spanish Lockdown, the sometimes amusing, diary of a Brit in southern Spain under the 'Alarma' - normal life has stopped. To find out more: https://www.thesecretspain.com Day 29 of our Spanish Lockdown, we woke to horrible weather, thick fog, pouring rain and a damp chill to the air. When we get this kind of weather it always reminds me of a disastrous holiday I went on with my father, his new wife two toddlers and a baby, my fathers second attempt at a...
2020-04-1410 min
Spanish Practices – Living in Spain: Real Life, Real SpainDay 28 "rubbish" The Spanish LockdownToday Villa Paula and the rats Day twenty eight of the Spanish Lockdown, the sometimes amusing, diary of a Brit in southern Spain under the 'Alarma' - normal life has stopped. To find out more: https://www.thesecretspain.com
2020-04-1310 minSpanish Practices – Living in Spain: Real Life, Real SpainDay 27 - "Toad" The Spanish LockdownToday impossible hair and toads. Day twenty seven of the Spanish Lockdown, the sometimes amusing, diary of a Brit in southern Spain under the 'Alarma' - normal life has stopped. To find out more: https://www.thesecretspain.com
2020-04-1210 minSpanish Practices – Living in Spain: Real Life, Real SpainDay 26 - "Rock" The Spanish LockdownToday Flash Harry and the Poof test. Day twenty six of the Spanish Lockdown, the sometimes amusing, diary of a Brit in southern Spain under the 'Alarma' - normal life has stopped. To find out more: https://www.thesecretspain.com
2020-04-1107 minSpanish Practices – Living in Spain: Real Life, Real SpainDay 25 - "Cross" The Spanish LockdownToday Sick dogs and angry cats. Day twenty five of the Spanish Lockdown, the sometimes amusing, diary of a Brit in southern Spain under the 'Alarma' - normal life has stopped. To find out more: https://www.thesecretspain.com
2020-04-1007 minSpanish Practices – Living in Spain: Real Life, Real SpainDay 24 - "stink" - The Spanish LockdownToday Ice cream and drains Day twenty four of the Spanish Lockdown, the sometimes amusing, diary of a Brit in southern Spain under the 'Alarma' - normal life has stopped. To find out more: https://www.thesecretspain.com
2020-04-0909 minSpanish Practices – Living in Spain: Real Life, Real SpainDay 23 "State" The Spanish LockdownToday Fiestas and Freddie Mercury Day twenty three of the Spanish Lockdown, the sometimes amusing, diary of a Brit in southern Spain under the 'Alarma' - normal life has stopped. To find out more: https://www.thesecretspain.com
2020-04-0807 minSpanish Practices – Living in Spain: Real Life, Real SpainDay 22 - "Yellow Peril" The Spanish LockdownToday shocking electricity and the bright yellow car. Day twenty two of the Spanish Lockdown, the sometimes amusing, diary of a Brit in southern Spain under the 'Alarma' - normal life has stopped. To find out more: https://www.thesecretspain.com
2020-04-0707 minSpanish Practices – Living in Spain: Real Life, Real SpainDay 21 - "Ding Dong" The Spanish LockdownToday scary Cheesecakes and Church Bells. Day twenty one of the Spanish Lockdown, the sometimes amusing, diary of a Brit in southern Spain under the 'Alarma' - normal life has stopped. To find out more: https://www.thesecretspain.com
2020-04-0607 minSpanish Practices – Living in Spain: Real Life, Real SpainDay 20 - "Washington" The Spanish LockdownToday scary Martha and the kitchen urinal. Day twenty of the Spanish Lockdown, the sometimes amusing, diary of a Brit in southern Spain under the 'Alarma' - normal life has stopped. To find out more: https://www.thesecretspain.com
2020-04-0507 minSpanish Practices – Living in Spain: Real Life, Real SpainDay nineteen - "Luck" The Spanish LockdownDay nineteen of the Spanish Lockdown, the sometimes amusing, diary of a Brit in southern Spain under the 'Alarma' - normal life has stopped. Today 'filthy fincas and feral cats' To find out more: https://www.thesecretspain.com
2020-04-0410 minSpanish Practices – Living in Spain: Real Life, Real SpainDay Eighteen - "cat" The Spanish LockdownDay eighteen of the Spanish Lockdown, the sometimes amusing, diary of a Brit in southern Spain under the 'Alarma' - normal life has stopped. Today 'the toothless cat and the blood spattered kid!' To find out more: https://www.thesecretspain.com
2020-04-0309 minSpanish Practices – Living in Spain: Real Life, Real SpainDay Seventeen - "Motivation" The Spanish LockdownDay seventeen of the Spanish Lockdown, the diary of a Brit in southern Spain under the 'Alarma' - normal life has stopped. Today all fur coat and no knickers To find out more: https://www.thesecretspain.com
2020-04-0208 min
Spanish Practices – Living in Spain: Real Life, Real SpainDay sixteen - "Cold" The Spanish LockdownDay sixteen of the Spanish Lockdown, the diary of a Brit in southern Spain under the 'Alarma' - normal life has stopped. Today drinking gin at 7am and the greatest hits of Queen. To find out more: https://www.thesecretspain.com
2020-04-0109 min
Spanish Practices – Living in Spain: Real Life, Real SpainDay fifteen - "Storm" The Spanish LockdownDay fifteen of the Spanish Lockdown, the diary of a Brit in southern Spain and how the Corona virus - Covid 19 has stopped all normal life. Today beautiful rats and hot tubs. To find out more: https://www.thesecretspain.com
2020-03-3107 min
Spanish Practices – Living in Spain: Real Life, Real SpainDay Fourteen - "Silence" The Spanish LockdownDay fourteen of the Spanish Lockdown, the diary of a Brit in southern Spain and how the Corona virus - Covid 19 has stopped all normal life. Today chickens and the Tremeloes. To find out more: https://www.thesecretspain.com
2020-03-3008 min
Spanish Practices – Living in Spain: Real Life, Real SpainDay Thirteen - "Budgie" The Spanish Lockdown #13Day thirteen of the Spanish Lockdown, the diary of a Brit in southern Spain and how the Corona virus - Covid 19 has stopped all normal life. Today budgies and robots. To find out more: https://www.thesecretspain.com
2020-03-2907 min
Spanish Practices – Living in Spain: Real Life, Real SpainDay Twelve - "China" The Spanish Lockdown #12Day twelve of the Spanish Lockdown, the diary of a Brit in southern Spain and how the Corona virus - Covid 19 has stopped all normal life. Today thingamy bobs and plastic gloves. To find out more: https://www.thesecretspain.com
2020-03-2808 min
Spanish Practices – Living in Spain: Real Life, Real SpainDay Eleven - "Parade" The Spanish LockdownDay eleven of the Spanish Lockdown, the diary of a Brit in southern Spain and how the Corona virus - Covid 19 has stopped all normal life. Today Frozen Fish Fingers and world war 3 To find out more: https://www.thesecretspain.com
2020-03-2708 min
Spanish Practices – Living in Spain: Real Life, Real SpainDay Ten - "Cough" The Spanish Lockdown #10Day ten of the Spanish Lockdown, the diary of a Brit in southern Spain and how the Corona virus - Covid 19 has stopped all normal life. Today the three good legged cat, faith and spiritualism. To find out more: https://www.thesecretspain.com Check out Camilla Sacre-Dallerup's Podcast - "Me My Relationships and I" https://www.zenme.tv
2020-03-2610 min
Spanish Practices – Living in Spain: Real Life, Real SpainDay Nine - "Marathon" The Spanish Lockdown #9Day nine of the Spanish Lockdown, the diary of a Brit in southern Spain and how the Corona virus - Covid 19 has stopped all normal life. Today my weird Aunty Isobel, comedians Rob Deering and Paul Tonkinson spend two of the longest days of their lives. To find out more: https://www.thesecretspain.com Discover "Running Commentary" on ACAST: https://play.acast.com/s/runningcommentary
2020-03-2508 min
Spanish Practices – Living in Spain: Real Life, Real SpainDay Eight - "Sanity" The Spanish Lockdown #8Day eight of the Spanish Lockdown, the diary of a Brit in southern Spain and how the Corona virus - Covid 19 has stopped all normal life. Yesterday another 486 died, 2,206 dead so far and 33,089 confirmed cases. To find out more: https://www.thesecretspain.com
2020-03-2408 min
Spanish Practices – Living in Spain: Real Life, Real SpainDay Seven - "Courage" The Spanish Lockdown #7Day seven of the Spanish Lockdown, the diary of a Brit in southern Spain and how the Corona virus - Covid 19 has stopped all normal life. Yesterday another 400 died, 1,720 dead so far and 28,572 confirmed cases. Todays episode virtual parties, storms and family fall-outs. To find out more: https://www.thesecretspain.com
2020-03-2309 min
Spanish Practices – Living in Spain: Real Life, Real SpainDay Six - "God" The Spanish Lockdown #6Day six of the Spanish Lockdown, the diary of a Brit in southern Spain and how the Corona virus - Covid 19 has stopped all normal life, with over a thousand dead in Spain, day to day life gets increasingly difficult, today a walk with God.
2020-03-2206 min
Spanish Practices – Living in Spain: Real Life, Real SpainDay Five - "Garden" The Spanish Lockdown #5Day Five of the Spanish lockdown, the story of a Brit living in Spain and how coronavirus has changed ordinary life in Spain. It's Day 5, the end of the week, worries about electricity and water.
2020-03-2106 min
Spanish Practices – Living in Spain: Real Life, Real SpainDay Four - "Britain are you mad?" The Spanish Lockdown #4Day Four of the Spanish lockdown, the story of a Brit living in Spain and how coronavirus has changed ordinary life in Spain, today a message from "Carmen" - Spanish but she spent a lot of time in London, her words, her thoughts.
2020-03-2008 min
Spanish Practices – Living in Spain: Real Life, Real SpainDay Three - "Wind" the Spanish Lockdown #3Day Three of the Spanish lockdown, the story of a Brit living in Spain and how coronavirus has changed ordinary life in Spain in just four days. Today wind, tough Spanish Government love.
2020-03-1906 min
Spanish Practices – Living in Spain: Real Life, Real SpainDay Two - "Toothpaste" the Spanish Lockdown #2Day Two of the Spanish lockdown, the story of a Brit living in Spain and how coronavirus has changed ordinary life in Spain in just four days. Today toothpaste and Chernobyl survivors.
2020-03-1808 min
Spanish Practices – Living in Spain: Real Life, Real SpainDay One - "Bleak" the Spanish Lockdown 2 #1Day One of the Spanish lockdown, the story of a Brit living in Spain and how coronavirus has changed ordinary life in Spain in just three days. Today IKEA kitchen units, three legged cats and a dog called Bailey. Find out more at www.thesecretspain.com
2020-03-1706 min