ESPANA 1 ITALIA 0

I think my first ever visit to a Spanish football match must have bought the home side good luck! I braved a windy night (dust storms in Elche) with my Spanish neighbours to cheer on the Spanish - great volleyed goal from Villa - who might be on his way to the UK premiership. Spain for Euro 2008! Busy working on 2 projects for Spanish magazines - watch this blog!

Wind problem........

As a local ad runs: ´Do you have wind problems on your terrace?´ well yes today we all do - Easter is being blown away and some of the family are still trying to return to Madrid, stuck in traffic jams and terrible weather. But the sun will shine tomorrow! Busy week including international football - yes I have tickets..........Viva Espana Vamos a ver!

Its Easter so it must be raining!

Here in Spain we celebrate Semana Santa (Easter) but the processions had to start in the rain and cold - Very disappointing for everyone who had worked so hard to prepare for the events. But knowing Spain the sun will soon be shining again! Lots of things in the diary - including my first Spanish football match (watching not playing) SPAIN vs. ITALY - been played next week in Elche. A ´friendly´ is there such a thing? Watch this space........

Famous in Anguilla (and I have never even been there!)

I have electronically met a fellow writer who is currently based in Anguilla (yes I wondered that to the answer is in the Leeward Islands, Caribbean) her name is Penny and she is regularly publishing articles in her local press. Check out http://pennylegg.blogspot.com I must admit to being surprised when she asked if she could feature yours truly in her latest article - I readily agreed as it is not an offer you get every day! The Easter (known as Semana Santa here in Spain) parades are already under way - and the town is filling up with people eager to enjoy the first holiday of 2008! Happy Easter everyone!

ITS LETTERS DAY!

2 local papers the Costa Blanca News and the ´freebie´ Round Town News have today published letters from yours truly regarding local issues of Spanish Residencia and Taxation. These thorny issues are a constant source of local debate! The Brits still like to get wound up about issues even in sunny Spain!

Torrevieja Writing Group

We had a good meeting this week and welcomed a new member who won last years Torrevieja Short Story competition. He has expanded that into a 100,000 novel! His ficitional main character is based on a local Spanish old lady who is a bit of a character anyway. My Spanish wife appears to know something of her which I must pass onto him. My sister reports that the cava arrived intact so maximum brownie points earned for that one. Ok where was I with my latest article: Do you think the world has got to complicated........

The Eagle has Landed..or is it a Vulture?

My review of El Frares Hotel and walking holidays based in Quatretondeta Alicante has been published by The Inland Magazine. Available online via download from www.timspain.com They also want to publish: Walking just went High Tech - my account of researching, buying setting up and using in anger GPS hand held systems for walkers. Must get out on location for more photos to illustrate the article.

Place In The Sun Magazine

Funny how sometimes you write something and send it off and it goes out of your mind then Hey Presto you receive an email to say that your letter is this months Star Letter and you have won a bottle of Cava. Being a generous brother I have asked them to send it to my sister - it also occurred to me it might get broken on its way back to Spain !! Cheers!