SPANISH MORTGAGE CONTRACT

Do you have a minimum interest rate clause in your Spanish mortgage contract? Are you aware that this could be costing you approximately €2000 annually? Throughout 2012 the Mercantile Court in Málaga has dictated 7 sentences ordering three banks to pay back considerable sums of money which they were illegally charging their clients through what is called “minimum interest rate clause” stipulated in their mortgage contracts. The truth is that in this mortgage contracts it is established that at no point in time can the variable rate be inferior to a minimum rate fixed by the bank – this tends to be between 3 and 5%, whilst on the other hand the maximum limit is unrealistic – in the majority of cases this is between 7 and 15%. The detriment to the consumer arrives when the Euribor descends below the minimum rate stipulated in the mortgage contract – particularly at this moment in time seeming as the Euribor has descended below 1% - and the client has to continue paying as if it were at 3 or 5% because of this “minimum interest rate clause” imposed by the bank. However, the maximum rate will never be reached meaning that the consumer will never benefit from it and the only beneficiary will ever only be the bank. This banking practice trespasses on the very fundamental principles of contractual good faith and provokes a substantial and unjustified imbalance of contractual obligations, generating a loss in the economy of Spanish consumers at the same time. In fact this same minimum interest rate clause has been mainly responsible for the progressive decline of the Euribor; (this being the main variable mortgage reference rate) not having led to a widespread drop in monthly payments. Source: MARTINEZ ECHEVARRIA I PEREZ I FERRERO ABOGADOS www.martinezechevarria.com

SPAIN TO OFFER RESIDENCY TO FOREIGN HOUSE BUYERS

Spain is to offer foreigners residency permits if they buy houses worth more than 160,000 euro ($200,000) as part of an attempt to reduce the country's bloated stock of unsold homes. Trade Ministry secretary Jaime Garcia-Legaz said the plan, expected to be approved in the coming weeks, would be aimed principally at the Chinese and Russian markets as the domestic demand was stagnant and showed no sign of improving. Spain has more than 700,000 unsold houses following the collapse of its real estate market in 2008. The country's economy is struggling and is currently in recession with 25 percent unemployment. Thousands of houses have been repossessed by banks and their owners evicted because they cannot pay their mortgages. The government last week approved a decree under which evictions would be suspended for two years in specific cases of extreme need. The country's offer beats others in bailed-out countries such as Ireland and Portugal, where residency papers are offered to foreigners buying houses worth more the 400,000 euro and 500,000 euro, respectively. It was not immediately clear if the residency would only refer to Spain, and not the European Union. The stricken state of the country's real estate market was highlighted Monday by figures from the Bank of Spain which showed that the level of bad debt in the country's banks had risen to a record 10.7 percent of their loan total in September. The bank said the amount totaled 182 billion euro, up from 179 billion euro in August -- the 15th monthly increase in a row. The 16 other countries that use the euro have agreed to lend Spain up to 100 billion euro to help support the country's banks weighed down by these bad loans and investments. On top of the bank loan, Spain has been under pressure to apply for more outside financial aid to help it manage its debt and deficit. The European Central Bank has insisted on the move before it will make good on its pledge to buy the bonds of certain troubled countries to help lower their borrowing costs. Spain says it is waiting to know all the conditions that might come attached to the rescue package before making a decision. Source: MARTINEZ ECHEVARRIA I PEREZ I FERRERO ABOGADOS www.martinezechevarria.com

DIA DE TODOS LOS SANTOS

All Saints Day in Spain (Todos Los Santos) -November 1st. This religious/national public holiday is very important to the people of Spain. Many people from all over the country will return to their town or village to visit the graves of deceased relatives and lay flowers. The Spanish have two birthdays each year, one is their customary birthday to remember the day they were born. The second is when they celebrate the day of their personal patron saint (usually the one they were named after). However, on November 1st each year, the Feast of All of the Saints is held and this particular public holiday is about remembering family members who have died visit the graves of relatives to decorate them with intricate floral displays. For most people, this is a very emotional day. Often the Eucharist, or Mass, is performed several times during the day in the cemetery. As with many festivals throughout the country a number of special dishes are associated with All Saints’ Day like eating roasted chestnuts, castañas, together with small almond cakes, panellets. The tradition or eating chestnuts originates from the legend of a chestnut seller called Maria La Castañada about whom there are many stories. Apparently the almond cakes are in remembrance of the days when homemade cakes and offerings were left with the bodies of the dead. At this time of the year it is quite usual to see in shops huesos de santo – the saint’s bones – which are made from marzipan, eggs, sugar syrup and buñuelos de viento – puffs of wind – these are doughnuts generously sprinkled with cinnamon and sugar. In the 10th century All Saints’ Day was celebrated on May 13th until Popes Gregory III and IV moved it to November 1st because they wanted to counteract the pagan festival, the predecessor of Halloween that was held at that time of the year. It was believed by the ancient Gaels that at this time of the year, often known as the Celtic New Year, was when the boundaries between the living and the dead faded away so the Church linked this with All Saints’ Day. Originally as well as holding vigils this was a time of fasting. What started as a time of remembrance of the Christian martyrs changed into today’s custom of remembering all those who have died. One of the traditions of ‘All Saints Day’ is the enacting of the play Don Juan Tenorio, written by José Zorrilla. The final act of this depiction of Don Juan’s choice between salvation or hell is set in a cemetery with the legendary lover grieving over his betrayal of his dead lover.

BANK SCAM – Ground Clause (Clausula Suelo)

How many times I have said to British people signing Escrituras (Deeds) in front of a Notary when they have purchased property in Spain “well my friends at least in Spain you get to see and keep the deeds of your property, whilst in your country the bank keeps it and only shows it to you if you really kick up a fuss.” One client from up north once said to me “what’s the point in me keeping it if I can’t read the bloody thing.” He also had a point. What I am getting at is that we mere mortals tend to accept blindly that because we have a lawyer, accountant, and bank manager working for us these people will look after our interest. Very often it does not work like that, not in Europe and especially not in Spain. I have discovered that my own mortgage, which I was led to believe by my friendly bank manager that the repayments could vary according to the Up and Down of the Euribor. So that Up meant I loose and Down I gain is in fact nothing of the sort, in fact Up I lose and Down I lose is the stark reality. The most frustrating thing is that I can only blame myself. I had the terms and conditions of the mortgage in my hand, all 25 pages of it and 5 minutes to read it before the Notary called us through, so I just skipped to the resume and it looked good or at least it did not mention the Ground Clause (Clausula Suelo) which was instead neatly slotted three quarters down on page 20. What the clause says is that if the Euribor goes Up your repayment increases accordingly and if it goes Down like it has now – 1% you get no benefit. As simple as that. Not all banks have resorted to this deceit, only most of them have and in 2012 Malaga courts have dictated seven sentences forcing the banks to return the money obtained through this con. In some cases the amount runs into thousands of Euros. How do you know if you have been conned by the bank? Well I read about this scam in the Spanish papers so I went to see David Perez of Martinez Echevarria Lawyers and they are working on my case. They seem to think that I will get some money back. ‘I live in hope.’ Obviously one thing will change, my friendly bank manager will not be friendly anymore.

THE HISTORY OF THE RYDER CUP

Just thought I would share this interesting information with you all. Source: http://www.rydercup.com/2010/europe/history/index.cfm The Ryder Cup, one of the last great sporting events founded on prestige rather than prize money, was first contested in 1927. The origin of the idea to stage international matches between the best American professionals and those of Great Britain is a subject of debate among golf historians. Past PGA of America President George Sargent (1921-26) of the Southeastern PGA Section credited Sylvanus P. Jermain, president of Inverness Club in Toledo, Ohio, for first presenting the concept in 1921. However, Bob Harlow, founder of Golf World and onetime manager of Walter Hagen, reported in 1951 that the concept was first proposed in 1920 by James Harnett, a circulation representative for Golf Illustrated. Harnett had attempted to attract potential readers by raising funds to pay expenses for a professional match between the USA and Great Britain. Harnett didn't get the support he needed until The PGA of America voted at its Annual Meeting on December 15, 1920, to advance Harnett some funds. The rivalry Harnett so eagerly attempted to develop eventually became The Ryder Cup. Regardless of who takes credit, the first informal matches were played in 1921 at Gleneagles, Scotland. Harnett, most likely with Hagen's assistance, selected the American Team. The matches were played just before the 2,000 Guineas Match Play Championship, with the British soundly defeating the U.S. Team, 9-3. Another unofficial match occurred when The R&A decreed regional qualifying rounds before The 1926 Open Golf Championship, forcing overseas competitors to make their transatlantic trek earlier. With extra time on their hands, the American contingent agreed to form a team for an unofficial match against the British professionals at Wentworth Club. This time, the Americans' defeat was worse -- a 13 1/2 to 1 1/2 rout. English seed merchant and entrepreneur Samuel Ryder was a member of the appreciative gallery. Ryder was an Englishman from St. Albans in Hertfordshire, who made his fortune selling penny seed packets. Before the matches at Wentworth, Ryder had engaged the British star Abe Mitchell as his personal golf tutor. Mitchell beat the reigning Open Champion Jim Barnes, 8 and 7, in the singles, and then partnered with George Duncan in the foursomes to beat Hagen and Barnes, 9 and 8. After the matches, Ryder had tea with British Team Members George Duncan and Mitchell. Also joining them were Hagen and American team-mate Emmett French. Duncan suggested Ryder provide a trophy and encourage the establishment of matches on a regular basis. Ryder agreed at once and commissioned the design of the gold chalice that bears his name and Mitchell's likeness on the top. Unfortunately, Mitchell was suffering from appendicitis and could not join his countrymen at Worcester Country Club, Massachusetts, in 1927 for the inaugural Ryder Cup. The United States Team defeated their counterparts from Great Britain in that historic first match, 9 1/2 -2 1/2. The first U.S. Ryder Cup Team was captained by Hagen, a charter Member of The PGA of America. Only American-born players were allowed to join the Team, according to a Selection Committee ruling, April 5, 1927, in Chicago. Joining Hagen on the Team were Leo Diegel, Johnny Farrell, Johnny Golden, Bill Mehlhorn, Gene Sarazen, Joe Turnesa and Al Watrous. Mike Brady and Al Espinosa were named alternates. The British Team was originally set with Mitchell as Captain, but he remained home due to his illness. Ted Ray took over the duties, and was joined on the Team by Aubrey Boomer, Archie Compston, George Duncan, George Gadd, Arthur Havers, Herbert Jolly, Fred Robson and C.A. (Charles) Whitcombe. Samuel Ryder had sown the seed. Few amateurs who took up golf after their 50th birthday have left as many positive impressions upon the game as Samuel Ryder. Born in 1858, he was the son of a Manchester corn merchant and educated at Manchester University. His father doubted the wisdom of his son's plans to sell penny seed packets to English garden lovers. The young Ryder decided he would go into business on his own, moved south to St. Albans in Hertfordshire and formed the Heath and Heather Seed Company. His business quickly prospered, and in 1906 his social standing improved to the point where he was elected Mayor of St. Albans. He became ill due to overwork, and fresh air and light exercise were prescribed as part of the cure. He was encouraged to take up golf. Reared on music and cricket, Ryder at first spurned the idea, but later relented. Ryder first enlisted a professional named Hill from a local nine-hole course to guide him through his golf fundamentals. Later, Ryder employed Mitchell as his exclusive instructor at an annual fee of £1,000. Ryder practiced rain or shine, six days a week (never on Sunday), for a year. He was given instruction at Marlborough House, his home, on driving and iron shots, and he hit chip shots over a hedge in the paddock. He followed up with putting. After his rigorous practice regimen, Ryder decided he could apply for membership at Verulam Golf Club. By age 51, he boasted a six handicap and joined the Verulam Golf Club in St. Albans in 1910. Within a year he was elected Captain of the club, and later held the title in 1926 and '27. He sponsored a Heath and Heather Tournament in 1923, the first event to be restricted to professionals. Among the field was Mitchell, a former gardener himself, and considered one of the finest players in Great Britain to have never won an Open Championship. Ryder relished the 1926 unofficial international match between the Americans and British at Wentworth, watching Mitchell and Duncan defeat Hagen and Barnes. "Why can't they all get to know each other?" said Ryder. "I will give £5 to each of the winning players, and give a party afterwards, with champagne and chicken sandwiches." Later that evening in a pub, Duncan turned to Ryder and said, "This is wonderful. It's too bad we don't have a match like this which is official." "Why not?" Ryder asked. Soon, the deed of gift was drafted with Ryder agreeing to donate a solid gold cup, worth £250. The cup was designed by Mappin & Webb Company. Ryder insisted that a golfing figure adorn the lid and that it resemble Mitchell. The first official Ryder Cup was arranged for June 3-4, 1927, at the Worcester Country Club, Massachusetts. An appeal for £3,000 to finance the first British Ryder Cup Team was met with apathy and fell £500 short of the goal, but Ryder made up the deficit. After Ryder, the biggest single contribution was £210 from the Stock Exchange Golf Society. With no Order of Merit money-winning list available, the famed British triumvirate of Harry Vardon, James Braid and James Taylor acted as team selection committee. Samuel Ryder, who would serve two terms as Mayor of St. Albans, lived to see two Ryder Cup encounters on his home soil. While celebrating the holidays with his family in London, he died of a massive hemorrhage on January 2, 1936. He was 77. His eldest daughter, Mrs. Marjorie Claisen, sent her father's favourite mashie (5-iron) to be placed in his coffin. Another of his daughters, Mrs. Thomas Scarfe, took over the family business. However, she never shared her father's passion for golf. Ryder's youngest daughter, Joan, was her father's constant companion at all his golfing events. She witnessed all The Ryder Cups in Great Britain, and once in America, in 1983, when the U.S. edged the Europeans at PGA National Golf Club in Palm Beach Gardens, Florida. In 1981, Joan met the Duke of Kent at The Ryder Cup at Walton Heath Golf Club in Surrey, England. She told the royal guest that her father had been surprised by the success of the matches. "He had the idea that when the Americans came over for a match he would give a 'small friendly lunch party' to both teams," said Joan. The Duke gazed at the spectators swarming near the 18th green, and said: "I wonder what your father would think of this little lunch party!" Joan Ryder's final appearance at The Ryder Cup was at The Belfry in 1985. She called that edition of the matches "the most exciting ever." Later that year, she died at her home in Sussex at age 81. War-torn Matches With the outbreak of World War II, The Ryder Cup was suspended from 1939-45, and the U.S. retained the trophy from its 1937 victory. Whilst the outbreak of war in Europe forced the cancellation of The 1939 Ryder Cup at Ponte Vedra Country Club, Florida, both teams were still named. The United States also continued the spirit of the contest by selecting a ten-member team that participated in "challenge" matches against fellow Americans to raise funds for the American Red Cross, various service organizations and other war-related efforts. With The 1939 Ryder Cup canceled, challenge competitions were arranged from 1940- 43, with two at Oakland Hills Country Club in Bloomfield, Michigan, in 1940 and 1942: at Detroit Golf Club, in 1941: and at Plum Hollow Country Club in 1943. The Ryder Cup Team, which had various members during that period, won four of the five challenge matches. Walter Hagen captained the 1939, '40 and '41 Ryder Cup Teams, while Craig Wood captained the Team in 1942 and 1943. There was no competition in 1939. The 1939 U.S. selections were repeated in 1940 in a challenge match at Oakland Hills Country Club in Bloomfield Township, Michigan, against Gene Sarazen's Challengers. Sarazen, who was left off The Ryder Cup Team, challenged Hagen by assembling a team that included Ben Hogan, Jimmy Demaret and Craig Wood. In 1939, The Professional Golfers Association of Great Britain had selected eight players and Captain Henry Cotton before war interrupted further plans. The eight players named were: Jimmy Adams, Dick Burton, Sam King, Alf Padgham, Dai Rees, Charles Whitcombe and Reg Whitcombe. The remaining two members were never filled. During the war, the exhibition matches brought together the greatest American players of the era, including amateur Bobby Jones who led his team to an 8 1/2 to 6 1/2 upset of The Ryder Cup Team in 1941, at Detroit Golf Club. The Ryder Cup resumed with the seventh meeting to the two teams in 1947 at Portland Golf Club, Oregon. Europeans Join the Fight for the Cup In 1973, The Ryder Cup was contested for the first time in Scotland at historic Muirfield. The PGA of Great Britain altered its selection procedure by having eight players chosen from a year-long points system and four by invitation. The introduction of players from continental Europe into The Ryder Cup fold in 1979 marked a new chapter in the history of the biennial competition and after years of U.S. domination the tide started to turn. The foundations were laid as far back as 1971 when John Jacobs, the first Director General of The European Tour, had the vision to realise that the future lay in Europe. As The European Tour grew into a cosmopolitan mix of players from all nationalities, particularly from the continent, the logical step was to include these players in The Ryder Cup and make the matches Europe versus America. During The 1977 Ryder Cup at Royal Lytham & St Annes, Jack Nicklaus approached the PGA of Great Britain about the urgency to improve the competitive level of the contest. The issue had been discussed earlier the same day by both Past The PGA of America President Henry Poe and British PGA President Lord Derby. Nicklaus pitched his ideas, adding: "It is vital to widen the selection procedures if The Ryder Cup is to continue to enjoy its past prestige." The changes in team selection procedure were approved by descendants of the Samuel Ryder family along with The PGA of America. The major change was expanding selection procedures to include players from the European Tournament Players' Division, and "that European Members be entitled to play on the team." This meant that professional players on the European Tournament Players' Division, the forerunner to The European Tour we have today, from continental Europe would be eligible to play in The Ryder Cup. The recommendation and succeeding approval of the new selection process followed another American victory at Royal Lytham & St. Annes in 1977. The first Ryder Cup under the expanded European selection format was played at The Greenbrier in White Sulphur Springs, West Virginia. The first two Europeans to make the overseas squad were two Spaniards - Severiano Ballesteros and Antonio Garrido. Ballesteros went on to become one of the all-time winners in The Ryder Cup. He has a record of won 20, lost 12 and halved five and has earned 22 1/2 points in 37 Ryder Cup matches. The move to include the continental players was a major step in upgrading The Ryder Cup. The U.S. had won all but one outing from 1959 to 1977, the exception being the tied match in a memorable duel in 1969 at Royal Birkdale in Southport, England. Expanding the selection procedure to include Europeans provided a much greater pool of talent from which to the team. The effect of The European Tour, with its varying types of golf courses, climates, food, language and customs, was to produce players of unprecedented durability. They possessed the technique and confidence to deal with all course situations and make The Ryder Cup one of the most compelling events in world sport. Ryder Cup Format Changes From the beginning of the series through 1959, The Ryder Cup competition was comprised of four foursomes (alternate shot) matches on one day and eight singles matches on the other day, each of 36 holes. The format was changed in 1961, to provide four 18-hole foursomes matches the morning of the first day, four more foursomes that afternoon, eight 18-hole singles the morning of the second day and eight more singles that afternoon. One point was at stake in each match, so the total number of points was doubled to 24. In 1963, fourball (better-ball) matches were added for the first time, boosting the total number of points available to 32. The format was altered again in 1977, this time with five foursomes on opening day, five four-ball matches on the second day, and ten singles matches on the final day. This reduced the total points to 20. In 1979, when the Great Britain & Ireland Team was expanded to include players from Continental Europe, the format was revised to provide four fourball and four foursomes matches on each of the first two days and 12 singles matches on the third day. The total points awarded were 28. This format continues today. The Ryder Cup was interrupted for the second time in history following the September 11, 2001, attack upon America. Some eight days following the tragedy, The 2001 Ryder Cup was rescheduled to the following year in 2002, with all future competitions conducted in even-numbered years.

Manchester Tragedy

I live in Fuengirola, Costa del Sol, Spain. This morning taking my kids to school we crossed a busy main road with the help of a local policeman, a young man in his twenties. “Why is he wearing a gun?” My nine year old son asked me. “To protect himself” I answered. “From whom?” “From bad people” I replied. “Where are they?” ask my five year old daughter, looking behind her. “They are not here now but he has to have it just in case he needs it.” When we reached the car park my son said “dad why can’t he talk to the bad people like you do to us when we do something wrong, why does he need to shoot them?” “Just because he has a gun it does not mean he is going to use it, I am sure if he meets any bad people he will try to talk to them first.” I started the car and after a few minutes my daughter said “I would shoot them if they were very bad because they do not listen to their parents.” I put music on and we started singing, but I could not help thinking about two young police women in Manchester who met their death by the hand of a bad person who never listened to his parents, if he ever had any.

PARALYMPIC GAMES

Sport for athletes with an impairment has existed for more than 100 years, and the first sport clubs for the deaf were already in existence in 1888 in Berlin. It was not until after World War II however, that it was widely introduced. The purpose of it at that time was to assist the large number of war veterans and civilians who had been injured during wartime. In 1944, at the request of the British Government, Dr. Ludwig Guttmann opened a spinal injuries centre at the Stoke Mandeville Hospital in Great Britain, and in time, rehabilitation sport evolved to recreational sport and then to competitive sport. On 29 July 1948, the day of the Opening Ceremony of the London 1948 Olympic Games, Dr. Guttmann organized the first competition for wheelchair athletes which he named the Stoke Mandeville Games. They involved 16 injured servicemen and women who took part in Archery. In 1952, Dutch ex-servicemen joined the Movement and the International Stoke Mandeville Games were founded. These Games later became the Paralympic Games which first took place in Rome, Italy in 1960 featuring 400 athletes from 23 countries. Since then they have taken place every four years. In 1976 the first Paralympic Winter Games were held in Sweden, and as with the Summer Games, have taken place every four years. Since the Summer Games of Seoul, Korea in 1988 and the Winter Games in Albertville, France in 1992 the Games have also taken part in the same cities and venues as the Olympics due to an agreement between the IPC and IOC. Also in 1960, under the aegis of the World Federation of ex-servicemen, an International Working Group on Sport for the Disabled was set up to study the problems of sport for persons with a disability. It resulted in the creation, in 1964, of the International Sport Organization for the Disabled (IOSD) who offered opportunities for those athletes who could not affiliate to the International Stoke Mandeville Games: visually impaired, amputees, persons with cerebral palsy and paraplegics. At the start, 16 countries were affiliated to ISOD and the organization pushed very hard to include blind and amputee athletes into the Toronto 1976 Paralympics and athletes with cerebral palsy in 1980 in Arnhem. Its aim was to embrace all disabilities in the future and to act as a Co-coordinating Committee. Nevertheless, other disability-orientated international organizations such as the Cerebral Palsy International Sports and Recreation Association (CPISRA) and International Blind Sports Federation (IBSA) were founded in 1978 and 1980. The four international organizations experienced the need of coordinating the Games so they created the "International Co-coordinating Committee Sports for the Disabled in the World" (ICC) in 1982. The ICC was originally composed of the four presidents of CPISRA, IBSA, ISMGF and ISOD, the general secretaries and one additional member (in the beginning it was the Vice-President, and later on the Technical Officer). The International Committee of Sport for the Deaf (CISS) and International Sports Federations for Persons with an Intellectual Disability (INAS-FID) joined in 1986, but the deaf still maintained their own organization. However, the member nations demanded more national and regional representation in the organization. Finally, on 22 September 1989, the International Paralympic Committee was founded as an international non-profit organization in Dusseldorf, Germany to act as the global governing body of the Paralympic Movement. The word “Paralympic” derives from the Greek preposition “para” (beside or alongside) and the word “Olympic”. Its meaning is that Paralympics are the parallel Games to the Olympics and illustrates how the two movements exist side-by-side.

1948 OLYMPICS - LONDON

Opening date: 29 July 1948 Closing date: 14 August 1948 After a 12-year break due to World War II, the Games return triumphantly to London. Rising to the challenge The Olympic Games had not been held in either 1940 or 1944 due to World War II, and London was called upon at short notice to host them. Despite shortages of essential products due to rationing, the city rose magnificently to the challenge - a true victory over dark times. Innovation and progress The London Games were the first to be shown on home television, although very few people in Great Britain actually owned sets. Starting blocks for athletes in sprint races were introduced for the first time, and the Empire Pool was the first covered Olympic pool to be used at the Games. Memorable performances Seventeen-year-old American Bob Mathias won the decathlon only four months after taking up the sport. He remains the youngest athlete in Olympic history to win a men’s athletics event. The dominant woman of the Games was sprinter Fanny Blankers-Koen of the Netherlands. She entered four sprint events and won all four. Overcoming adversity Karoly Takacs was a member of the Hungarian world champion pistol shooting team in 1938 when a grenade shattered his right hand - his pistol hand. Takacs taught himself to shoot with his left hand and, 10 years later, he won an Olympic gold medal in the rapid-fire pistol event. NOCs 59 Athletes 4,104 (390 women, 3,714 men) Events 136 Volunteers n/a Media n/a Events Artistic Gymnastics Athletics Basketball Boxing Canoe / Kayak Flatwater Cycling Road Cycling Track Diving Equestrian / Dressage Equestrian / Eventing Equestrian / Jumping Fencing Football Hockey Modern Pentathlon Rowing Sailing Shooting Water polo Weightlifting Wrestling Freestyle Wrestling Greco-Roman Participation Many countries, including Burma, Ceylon, Lebanon, Puerto Rico, Syria and Venezuela, were represented for the first time. On the other hand, there were no athletes from Japan, Germany or the USSR. Innovation in athletics Introduction of blocks to facilitate the start for athletes in sprint races (100m to 400m). Recognition Diplomas awarded to the first six athletes. Swimming under cover The Empire Pool was the first covered Olympic pool in history. Located not far from Wembley, it could house 8,000 spectators. As its length exceeded the regulatory 50m for an Olympic pool, a wooden platform was constructed to shorten it and to house the judges and officials. Ceremonies London, Wembley Stadium, 29 July 1948, Opening Ceremony: last torch-bearer John Mark passing the Tribune of Honour, is applauded by members of the Organising Committee. Official opening of the Games by: His Majesty King George VI Lighting the Olympic Flame by: John Mark (athletics) Olympic Oath by: Donald Finlay (athletics) Official Oath by: The officials' oath at an Olympic Summer Games was first sworn in 1972 in Munich. Olympic medallists Fanny Blankers-Koen Veikko Huhtanen Paavo Johannes Aaltonen James Price Jr. Mclane Ann Elisabeth Curtis Above and beyond Fanny BLANKERS-KOEN In 1999, Fanny Blankers-Koen was voted Female Athlete of the Century, thanks largely to her four gold medals at the 1948 London Games.

INTERESTING OLYMPIC FACTS

The Official Olympic Flag Created by Pierre de Coubertin in 1914, the Olympic flag contains five interconnected rings on a white background. The five rings symbolize the five significant continents and are interconnected to symbolize the friendship to be gained from these international competitions. The rings, from left to right, are blue, yellow, black, green, and red. The colors were chosen because at least one of them appeared on the flag of every country in the world. The Olympic flag was first flown during the 1920 Olympic Games. The Olympic Motto In 1921, Pierre de Coubertin, founder of the modern Olympic Games, borrowed a Latin phrase from his friend, Father Henri Didon, for the Olympic motto: Citius, Altius, Fortius ("Swifter, Higher, Stronger"). The Olympic Oath Pierre de Coubertin wrote an oath for the athletes to recite at each Olympic Games. During the opening ceremonies, one athlete recites the oath on behalf of all the athletes. The Olympic oath was first taken during the 1920 Olympic Games by Belgian fencer Victor Boin. The Olympic Oath states, "In the name of all competitors, I promise that we shall take part in these Olympic Games, respecting and abiding by the rules that govern them, in the true spirit of sportsmanship, for the glory of sport and the honor of our teams." The Olympic Creed Pierre de Coubertin got the idea for this phrase from a speech given by Bishop Ethelbert Talbot at a service for Olympic champions during the 1908 Olympic Games. The Olympic Creed reads: "The most important thing in the Olympic Games is not to win but to take part, just as the most important thing in life is not the triumph but the struggle. The essential thing is not to have conquered but to have fought well." The Olympic Flame The Olympic flame is a practice continued from the ancient Olympic Games. In Olympia (Greece), a flame was ignited by the sun and then kept burning until the closing of the Olympic Games. The flame first appeared in the modern Olympics at the 1928 Olympic Games in Amsterdam. The flame itself represents a number of things, including purity and the endeavor for perfection. In 1936, the chairman of the organizing committee for the 1936 Olympic Games, Carl Diem, suggested what is now the modern Olympic Torch relay. The Olympic flame is lit at the ancient site of Olympia by women wearing ancient-style robes and using a curved mirror and the sun. The Olympic Torch is then passed from runner to runner from the ancient site of Olympia to the Olympic stadium in the hosting city. The flame is then kept alight until the Games have concluded. The Olympic Torch relay represents a continuation from the ancient Olympic Games to the modern Olympics. The Olympic Hymn The Olympic Hymn, played when the Olympic Flag is raised, was composed by Spyros Samaras and the words added by Kostis Palamas. The Olympic Hymn was first played at the 1896 Olympic Games in Athens but wasn't declared the official hymn by the IOC until 1957. Real Gold Medals The last Olympic gold medals that were made entirely out of gold were awarded in 1912. The Medals The Olympic medals are designed especially for each individual Olympic Games by the host city's organizing committee. Each medal must be at least three millimeters thick and 60 millimeters in diameter. Also, the gold and silver Olympic medals must be made out of 92.5 percent silver, with the gold medal covered in six grams of gold. The First Opening Ceremonies The first opening ceremonies were held during the 1908 Olympic Games in London. Opening Ceremony Procession Order During the opening ceremony of the Olympic Games, the procession of athletes is always led by the Greek team, followed by all the other teams in alphabetical order (in the language of the hosting country), except for the last team which is always the team of the hosting country. A City, Not a Country When choosing locations for the Olympic Games, the IOC specifically gives the honor of holding the Games to a city rather than a country. IOC Diplomats In order to make the IOC an independent organization, the members of the IOC are not considered diplomats from their countries to the IOC, but rather are diplomats from the IOC to their respective countries. First Modern Champio James B. Connolly (United States), winner of the hop, step, and jump (the first final event in the 1896 Olympics), was the first Olympic champion of the modern Olympic Games. The First Marathon In 490 BCE, Pheidippides, a Greek soldier, ran from Marathon to Athens (about 25 miles) to inform the Athenians the outcome of the battle with invading Persians. The distance was filled with hills and other obstacles; thus Pheidippides arrived in Athens exhausted and with bleeding feet. After telling the townspeople of the Greeks' success in the battle, Pheidippides fell to the ground dead. In 1896, at the first modern Olympic Games, held a race of approximately the same length in commemoration of Pheidippides. The Exact Length of a Marathon During the first several modern Olympics, the marathon was always an approximate distance. In 1908, the British royal family requested that the marathon start at the Windsor Castle so that the royal children could witness its start. The distance from the Windsor Castle to the Olympic Stadium was 42,195 meters (or 26 miles and 385 yards). In 1924, this distance became the standardized length of a marathon. Women Women were first allowed to participate in 1900 at the second modern Olympic Games. Winter Games Begun The winter Olympic Games were first held in 1924, beginning a tradition of holding them a few months earlier and in a different city than the summer Olympic Games. Beginning in 1994, the winter Olympic Games were held in completely different years (two years apart) than the summer Games. Cancelled Games Because of World War I and World War II, there were no Olympic Games in 1916, 1940, or 1944. Tennis Banned Tennis was played at the Olympics until 1924, then reinstituted in 1988. Walt Disney In 1960, the Winter Olympic Games were held in Squaw Valley, California (United States). In order to bedazzle and impress the spectators, Walt Disney was head of the committee that organized the opening day ceremonies. The 1960 Winter Games Opening Ceremony was filled with high school choirs and bands, releasing of thousands of balloons, fireworks, ice statues, releasing of 2,000 white doves, and national flags dropped by parachute. Russia Not Present Though Russia had sent a few athletes to compete in the 1908 and 1912 Olympic Games, they did not compete again until the 1952 Games. Motor Boating Motor boating was an official sport at the 1908 Olympics. Polo, an Olympic Sport Polo was played at the Olympics in 1900, 1908, 1920, 1924, and 1936. Gymnasium The word "gymnasium" comes from the Greek root "gymnos" meaning nude; the literal meaning of "gymnasium" is "school for naked exercise." Athletes in the ancient Olympic Games would participate in the nude. Stadium The first recorded ancient Olympic Games were held in 776 BCE with only one event - the stade. The stade was a unit of measurement (about 600 feet) that also became the name of the footrace because it was the distance run. Since the track for the stade (race) was a stade (length), the location of the race became the stadium. Counting Olympiads An Olympiad is a period of four successive years. The Olympic Games celebrate each Olympiad. For the modern Olympic Games, the first Olympiad celebration was in 1896. Every four years celebrates another Olympiad; thus, even the Games that were cancelled (1916, 1940, and 1944) count as Olympiads. The 2004 Olympic Games in Athens was called the Games of the XXVIII Olympiad.

EL CHORRO GORGE AND ARDALES LAKES

For a great day out for all the family why not visit Malaga’s “Lake District”. There are three artificial lakes which have been created by a dam which is built across the striking 200m high Guadalhorce river gorge (Garganta del Chorro). The views are stunning and in the peaceful surroundings you can swim, fish or picnic on the shores of the lakes. Keep a look out for the eagles which circle around the sheer cliffs. Travelling through the Valle de Abdalajis the first sight of the dam and gorge area is on reaching the small village of El Chorro. During the construction of the reservoir between 1914 and 1921 a small bridge was built across the middle of the gorge. In 1921 King Alfonso XIII of Spain officially opened the dam and walked along a specially constructed catwalk called El Camino del Rey (the King’s Path). The catwalk is 100m above the river and pinned to the Gorge. The Camino del Rey is officially closed to the public awaiting repairs, however there are trained guides who take visitors along the path but it is not recommended for the faint-hearted. It is also a popular climbing area but should only be attempted by experienced climbers who are properly equipped. The beginning of the Camino del Rey can be found by driving across the lower dam into El Chorro village. Drive along the track on the left before the railway station and go past the camp site until you can go no further. You will have to walk the last few hundred meters. The path drops down and skirts the iron girder railway bridge but be careful crossing the line. (Von Ryans express was filmed here). The lakes are approximately 4km from here and can be reached by driving over the dam and following the road round to the left of the gorge. During the summer the lakes are very popular but due to the vastness of the shores a quiet place for sunbathing etc is easy to find. The lakeside restaurant of El Mirador is situated in a superb setting perched on top of a road tunnel and overlooking the lakes. Further along the lakes towards the picturesque dam, is El Kioskoll. There are several more bars along the lake side as well as good restaurants in El Chorro and beyond.

SPANISH PROPERTY TAXES

The purchase of a property in Spain involves - both for residents and non-residents - a series of fiscal obligations which must be met: TAXES ON CONVEYANCE OF ASSETS AND DOCUMENTED LEGAL PROCEDURES (ITP-AJD in its Spanish acronym) AND/OR IVA (Spanish equivalent to VAT): The IVA tax (equivalent to British VAT) is applicable to the purchase of newly built properties and urban plots which are immediately available for building. It amounts to 7% of the purchase price to the purchase of newly built properties, and 16% to purchase of urban plots which are immediately available for building. This tax must be paid on each instalment. In addition, the obtention of the title deed is also subject to Taxes on Conveyance of Assets and Documented Legal Procedures, 1%. It is necessary to pay the ITP-AJD taxes (taxes on Conveyance of Assets and Documented Legal Procedures), when IVA (Spanish VAT) is not applicable. The rate of ITP is 7% of the property purchase price. Remember the costs associated to a property sale transaction are normally 10% of the purchase price, and one of the mentioned taxes is included in this 10%. TAX ON REAL ESTATE (IBI in its Spanish acronym) The IBI tax must be paid every year, in one payment to be made between September 15 and November 15. Failure to pay this tax may result in the initiation of sanction procedures. We can ensure this payment is made by direct debit from your Spanish bank account, so you can rest assured you will not encounter any problems. WEALTH TAX If you are not resident in Spain, you must pay Wealth Tax (in Spanish, Impuesto sobre el Patrimonio), which is applicable to all the assets you have in Spain. Among these assets are real estate, bank accounts and other goods of a certain value. The rate of this tax is very low, usually around 0.20% (one fifth of a percentage point) of the total value of your assets. PROPERTY INCOME TAX Non-residents who own properties in Spain must file their tax return with the tax authorities. Spanish authorities are only interested in the amount earned by non-residents through their activities in Spain, rather than their global income. Non-residents must pay a single tax rate on any income generated in Spain. A typical example is the interests generated by deposits in accounts held in Spanish banks or the income obtained from renting properties. Any person who owns a property in Spain, but is not resident there the entire year, should designate a "fiscal representative" who will carry out all the procedures necessary before the tax authorities. We also offer this service. CAPITAL GAINS TAX Capital gains tax is payable based upon the increase between the original purchase price of a property and the selling price. This tax applies to the seller is levied at 18% to non-residents. Anyone purchasing a property from a non-resident must withhold 3% of the purchase price which is then paid to the tax authorities on account of any liability by the vendors. The vendor then has around two months in which to pay the Agencia Tributaria (spanish tax authorities) the rest of this tax. However, there are factors that can be taken into consideration to reduce the amount paid such as the costs incurred with the original purchase, and time elapsed between the initial purchase and the new sale etc. Source: Manzanares Abogados – Lawyers http://www.manzanares-es.com

50% REDUCTION ON VALUE ADDED TAX DERIVED FROM NEW PROPERTY PURCHASES

Starting from 23rd May 2012 until the end of the year, the Government shall apply a 50% reduction on all value added tax derived from the purchase of a property, according to the Council of Ministers. This measure was announced 4 days ago at a press conference by Ana Pastor, Public Works & Development Minister, following the Council of Ministers. This implies that whoever purchases a property starting from today will receive a 50% reward bonus for any eventual value added tax generated by the sale of the same. The reduction applies to both individuals and corporations. The tax cuts therefore affect both individual as well as corporate tax returns. However, purchases made between parents and children will not be entitled to benefit from this measure. The change in policy is focused on revitalizing the anemic Spanish housing market as well as facilitating the sale of stock accumulated in the banks’ balance sheets, which is currently eroding their profit and loss accounts. Anyone who purchases a property as a second home will be able to benefit from this measure. At present, individuals are subject to 100% exemption on value added tax upon selling their main home. This will therefore optimize a stock clearance of all second homes (apartments on the coast etc.) and will aid large investors, speculators or profit-seeking property purchase bonds. SOURCE: MARTINEZ ECHEVARRIA I PEREZ I FERRERO ABOGADOS www.martinezechevarria.com

SAYINGS AND THEIR STRANGE ORIGINS

Always a Bridesmaid, Never a Bride This phrase, surprisingly, was used to sell Listerine mouthwash! To promote their product, the manufacturers of Listerine employed the personal experience of girls at the time, who desperately wanted to settle down but seemed always to be left on the shelf. First used in the 1920’s, it portrays a situation and a possible explanation for the lack of success these girls had. Here is the transcript of the ad: Poor Edna was getting on for thirty and most of her girlfriends were either already married, or about to tie the knot. How she wished that, instead of being their bridesmaid, she could be the bride! However, any romance of hers invariably ended quickly. There was a reason. Unbeknownst to her, she suffered from bad breath and no one would tell her, not ever her closest friends. The advertisement sold millions of bottles of mouthwash and also gave the English language a new saying! Bark up the wrong tree Originating back when hunting was still a major sport, this phrase came from when animals were used to track, catch or retrieve prey. This applies, not least, to dogs. Dogs were used in the chasing of raccoons, which was chiefly undertaken at night and were trained to indicate the tree in which the animal had taken refuge by barking at it. Of course, even dogs can err and, at times, barked up the wrong tree. Be on a good footing A pleasant relationship with other people, not least those in a superior position, is portrayed as being ‘on a good footing’ with them. There are two thoughts as to where this saying came from. Some say the phrase goes back to a practice of early apprenticeships. It was the custom, on the first day at work, for apprentices to invite all their workmates for drinks. The new apprentice ‘footed the bill’. If proved a generous host, he made friends for keeps. The hospitality would never be forgotten. Recalling how much it had cost, it was said the novice gained ‘a good footing’. A second derivation links the phrase with an early and bizarre interpretation of human anatomy, the importance given to the length of one of a person’s digits. At one time, the dimension of the middle toes determined a person’s ‘standing’ in the community. Thus, the measurement of their foot decided their status in the eyes of others. Those whom nature and genes had endowed with large feet were lucky to be ‘on a good footing’. Draw your own conclusions on this one! Beat around the bush Someone who doesn’t get to the point is said to ‘beat around the bush’. The origin of this phrase is, undoubtedly, from hunting, and more specifically from the hunting of boars. A ferocious animal, it often hid in the undergrowth and beaters were employed and ordered to go straight in to chase it out. But very much aware, and afraid, of the animals’ sharp tusks, they much preferred to merely ‘beat around the bush’ a practice strongly disapproved of by their masters. Best foot forward When you are trying to make a good impression it is said that you should put your ‘best foot forward’. There are many options as to where this phrase came from, one being that it was believed that ‘the left’ was the realm of the devil, of evil and misfortune. After all the Latin word sinister means left, and in English sinister has kept its ominous meaning. Hence, it was advisable to keep the left foot behind and step forward with the best, the right, foot first. But this phrase seems to have come from the fashion world, rather than the occult. The saying can be traced to male vanity, particularly apparent in the late eighteenth century, the period of the dandy. His desire to attract people’s attention and admiration took strange and elaborate forms. At the time, people imagined that their two legs differed in shape and that ‘normally’ one was more becoming than the other. To draw attention to it they kept the worse one in the background, literally putting ‘their best foot forward’, and with it, of course, their leg. Bite the bullet A person who ‘bites the bullet’, without any sign of fear, acts with great courage in the face of adversity. The phrase recollects a dangerous army practice in the 1850s. Soldiers were then equipped with the British Enfield rifle. Prior to using it, they had to bite off the head of the cartridge to expose the explosive to the spark which would ignite it. The procedure was fraught with danger, particularly so in the heat of battle. It needed firmness and courage, as even the slightest deviation or hesitation would endanger the soldier. Blow Hot and Cold People who waver in their opinions and quickly change from being enthusiastic to showing disinterest are said to ‘blow hot and cold’. The saying can be traced to one of Aesop’s Fables. It was a cold winter’s day, and the freezing traveler was blowing on his stiff fingers. Mystified, a satyr wanted to know what he was doing. The man explained to him that, with his breath, he was warming his chilled fingers. Taking pity on him, the satyr invited the man to his home for a hot meal. This time, he watched him blowing on the food, which intrigued him all the more. Inquiring why he did so, his guest explained that he was blowing on the stew to cool it down. There and then the satyr told the traveler to leave at once. He was not prepared to entertain, or even mix with, someone who could ‘blow hot and cold from the same mouth’. Break a leg To wish an actor prior to his going on stage to ‘break a leg’ is a well-known practice. A pretty strange wish, actually it is meant magically to bring him luck and make sure that his performance will be a success. From the superstitious age it was thought that jealous forces, always present, are only too anxious to spoil any venture. A good luck wish would alert and provoke them to do their evil work, whilst a curse will make them turn their attention elsewhere. The underlying principle is the belief that if you wish evil, then good will come. I’m sure it’s called reverse psychology these days. Bury the hatchet To bury the hatchet means to create peace. With hostilities at an end, the hatchet was no longer needed, and therefore could be disposed of. Now a merely figurative expression, the phrase is based on an actual practice of North American Indians. When negotiating peace, they buried all their weapons; their tomahawks, scalping knives and clubs. Apart from showing their good faith, simultaneously it made it impossible for them to go on fighting. By hook or by crook The achievement of a goal with determination, by fair means or foul, is described as getting things done ‘by hook or by crook’. The origin of this phrase is linked with an early British practice, at a time when forests were still the exclusive property of royalty. For any unauthorized commoner, then, to gather firewood in them was a crime, poor people being the only exception. Though they were not permitted to cut or saw off branches, they were free to remove withered timber from the ground or even a tree, doing so by means of either a hook or a crook.

LAURO GOLF COURSE

Lauro 27 Golf can be found in the middle of beautiful pure nature in spectacular surroundings. The course counts with 27 holes that can be played in three different combinations, all par 72. From the beginning the design and function of the course has been based on respecting the nature and the environment that surrounds it by not only saving and caring for the already existing trees but also by planting thousands of new trees, most of them indigenous andalucian species. In Lauro Golf the nature is everywhere. Within the whole complex the direct contact with the nature is constant and whether you are playing golf, living in the residential or just enjoying a stroll in the surroundings you can see that we are not the only visitors at Lauro Golf. You can often see rabbits, ducks, partridges, herons and even eagles on and around the golf course, our friendly neighbours who are enjoying the micro-climate of the course created by the thousands of trees and the fourteen lakes of the golf course. The course was designed by the late Folco Nardi and the idea was to create a course that was technically challenging yet not too difficult. With a good concentration and the correct election of the clubs the player can end up with a good score in one of the 50 competitions played every year at Lauro Golf. The extension of the course with the holes 19-27 designed by Mariano Benitez follows the same line and equally requires concentration and skills. The course is moderately flat and can be played by foot though there are two holes located on the side of the mountain and from which we can enjoy some spectacular views over the valley of Guadalhorce and the Mediterranean. The club house is located in an old Andalucian building, Cortijo el paredón, where you can find the restaurant, changing and locker rooms, pro shop and the caddy master office. On our premises and the surroundings you can also find a swimming pool, a padel tennis club, lawn bowls club and an equestrian centre. In the middle of the cortijo there is a fabulous patio, with an enormous rubber plant in the middle which offers shade to the players enjoying their food and drinks after a game of golf. http://www.laurogolf.com/

NEW RULES FOR NIE APPLICATIONS

The rules regarding NIE applications have once again been revised. Local police stations are once again accepting applications on behalf of third parties from representatives with power of attorney. The last revision to the rules on 3rd January 2012 made it mandatory for individuals applying for a NIE number to personally attend the local police station to make the application. It was no longer possible to engage the services of a representative with power of attorney to carry out this process. The process of acquiring an NIE is not simple. The lack of conformity in what documentation is required is staggering as are the queues at the local police stations. It is therefore good news for those people who are daunted by the whole process of applying for an NIE number that they can now hand it over to someone else who can battle their way through the bureaucracy and queues on their behalf.

Country Codes

This article by Peter Edgerton was in the SUR IN ENGLISH recently and I thought it was very amusing.

For anyone thinking of coming to live in Spain there are a few dos and don’ts which are of the utmost importance if the transition is to be a successful and happy one.

The first detail to note is that as new arrivals we are, indeed ‘coming to live in Spain’ not ‘coming to live in a transportable version of our home country under a sunnier sky.’ A healthy acknowledgement of this basic fact will help no end. It’s a good idea, therefore, to learn a couple of phrases in Spanish before you arrive in order to avoid the classic ‘red-faced pot-bellied bloke/woman yells at bewildered waitress in thick Yorkshire/Geordie/Scouse accent scenario.’ This is always mightily embarrassing especially if what’s being bellowed involves the vocabulary ‘Dear’, ‘Darlin’ and an adjectival swear word.

In the same vein, it’s also good to try to respect local customs, especially if they have been woven into the fabric of society down the centuries. This means for example, not complaining to the town hall about the noise during Holy Week, as one legendary British couple in a white Andalusian village did a few years ago. The loud drumming and deafeningly mournful music is all part of the cultural and religious experience. Rumour has it they were annoyed because they couldn’t hear a repeat of ‘Only Fools And Horses’ properly, but this may be an urban myth.

Do try the wonderful Mediterranean diet (except the salads, obviously; they’re equally useless whichever country you’re in). When I first arrived, I couldn’t bear olives or cured ham and now they’re two of my favourite snacks. Do not – as I’ve seen happen on more than one occasion – take your own pot of mint sauce to restaurants to slap on your leg of lamb. It’s rude.

If you’re thinking of starting a business, you simply must employ someone to do the paperwork. Those hoping to save a few bob by dealing with the bureaucracy themselves usually end up in one of two places: Alhaurin prison (for lamping the twenty third person to tell them that they’re not in the correct office and the one they want is three miles away but is just about to shut for two days for no apparent reason) or a lunatic asylum, rocking and drooling in a darkened corner, endlessly repeating the same speech, ‘But, I brought nine photocopies of my mother’s driving licence just as she asked. No-one mentioned my dad’s golf club membership card. I only wanted to open a cake shop.’

Don’t worry about people shouting at each other at all times, there’s no need to call the police. Full-blooded screaming matches are appropriate to any number of situations over here e.g. discussing a disputed handball decision from last night’s football match, cursing the immediate family of a neighbour in extraordinarily graphic terms or asking someone for the time. Don’t try to compete when these moments arise in social situations, you’ll be brow-beaten into submission by a combination of decibels and dogged determination. I’ve long suspected that Spanish people practice circular breathing rather like didgeridoo players in order to avoid the inconvenience of having to pause for breath when in full flight. There is no conclusive proof of this, however.

So returning to the idea of learning rudimentary Spanish before coming over, I’d like to suggest three indispensable phrases to learn before arrival.

‘Sin ensalada, gracias.’ (‘No salad, thank you.’), ‘Perdone, es que tengo que irme, no quiero perder Solo Tontos Y Caballos.’ (Sorry, I’m afraid I have to go, I don’t want to miss Only Fools and Horses) and ¿Oye, tocas el didgeridoo, por casualidad? (‘Hey, do you play the didgeridoo, by any chance?’). The last one you may have to scream very loudly.

A HOME FROM HOME FOR BRITS

I read this interesting article in the SUR In English and thought I would share it with you.

Andalucia offers the best of Britain and Spain, and those who make the move find they don’t have to go without home comforts.
Stereotypes and sweeping statements surround the idea of ‘the Brits in Spain’. It is widely assumed that British expatriates in Spain do not integrate and do not learn the language. It is implied that they don’t take any interest in Spain or the Spanish way of life, that they spend most of their time in British bars and buy British goods wherever possible.

The truth is that while this is generalisation, this scenario is perfectly possible, in an environment which welcomes Brits who wish to continue to live their British life in a new location. There are businesses whose sole purpose it is to help those who don’t speak the language to settle in and make the most out of life in Spain.

The attraction

Britons are attracted to Spain by the sea and mountain views, Spanish fiestas and food, the warm winter sun, the holiday atmosphere and the friendly people.
It is often said that the foreign public’s image of Spain is the reality of Andalucia, with flamenco, fiestas, white villages nestled on hillsides, Moorish castles, endless blue skies, olive groves and sun-soaked beaches.
The Costa del Sol offers the best of what both Britain and Spain can offer. The rise of budget airlines and last minute deals has made it easier than ever to be able to travel affordably to and from the UK, and the ability to fly back cheaply to see relatives is an important factor in the decision of those who choose to relocate to Andalucia rather than somewhere further afield.

Both residents and tourists can enjoy the proximity of traditional, rural Spain as well as the many benefits offered by a modern tourist resort. Some who settle here take trips inland to look for unspoilt Spain, while others are content to remain on the coast where British-speaking help is always on hand.

Some elderly British residents on the Costa believe that their experience of aging is far more positive than it would have been had they stayed in Britain mainly because of the weather. The higher temperatures and infrequent rainfall mean that you go out more and, because you get more exercise, you’re healthier.

Feeling valued

Those who retire to the Costa del Sol find that their new life does not mean inactivity; there is a wide range of leisure activities to take part in and mobility is eased by the warmth. Many find that they become part of a community in which they feel valued.

There are so many English speaking clubs and societies to join on the Costa del Sol that it’s a wonder anyone ever finds time to do nothing, as the stereotype suggests. These clubs incorporate all conceivable hobbies from music and dancing to flower arranging and gardening to cricket and lawn bowls to bridge and chess. And if you can’t find a club which offers what you’re interested in, then you can bet there will be a demand for it should you start one yourself.

Amenities

The close expat community incorporates British businesses, including an Iceland in Fuengirola and a Marks & Spencer in Marbella. Of course, the proximity of Gibraltar means never having to go without your favourite products from home and the internet and satellite TV allow you to enjoy British programmes abroad. There are also Spanish based radio stations and publications, including this English language newspaper, SUR in English, to keep you up to date on Spanish and expat news!
Some migrants worry about their children’s education, anxious that going to a Spanish school would leave them behind others their age and therefore unable to compete in the job market when they finish. These issues can be avoided by sending your children to an international school, of which there are many here on the Costa. However, children learn very quickly and should overcome the initial disadvantages and on leaving the Spanish school system they will be completely bilingual.

A good choice

Whether you’re looking for a beach apartment, a country cottage or a mountain retreat, or don’t care and just want to escape the drizzle and traffic queues in the UK, chances are the Costa del Sol is the place for you.

Source: http://services.surinenglish.com/virtual/20120330-special/

HOLY WEEK IN SPAIN

I am sure many of you will have watched the processions during Holy Week and wondered what the Spanish names are for some of the elements of the parades. Below are just some that I have discovered.
ANTIFAZ
The hood worn by some members of the procession. Penitentes wear just the Antifaz. Nazarenos wear both the Antifaz and the Capirote.
BANDA DE MÚSICA
The band that accompanies the processions.
CAPATAZ
Person who directs the Costaleros who carry the Paso.
CAPIROTE
Pointed or cone shaped hood worn by the Nazarenos which symbolises repentance and grief.
COSTALEROS
Persons carrying the Paso.
CIRIALES
Members of the procession dressed like priests carrying silver staffs with candles.
CIRIOS
Very long candles carried by Nazarenos.
CRUZ DE GUĺA
Cross carried in front of the procession of Nazarenos.
HERMANDAD
Is the brotherhood or members of a church who take part in the procession.
HERMANOS
Members of the Hermandad.
IMAGEN
Sculpture, typically of Christ or the Virgin Mary.
INCIENSO/INCENSARIO
Incense burned in metal containers (Incensario) hung from a rope or chain and swung about to disperse the scent.
LA MADRUGÁ
Starting late Thursday night/Friday morning. This is a series of processions which can run all through the night until the following morning.
MONAGUILLOS
Children dressed like Ciriales (Priests).
NAZARENO
Member of the Hermandad (brotherhood) dressed in a robe and a cone shaped hood to hide their identity. Colours of robes and hoods depend on the procession.
PALIO
Canopy supported by poles, or Varales which covers the image of the Virgin Mary.
PASO
Float with the Virgin Mary or Christ, decorated with candles and flowers.
SAETA
A serenade sung by one person to the imagen of the Virgin Mary. The Paso stops during the singing.
TÚNICA
Tunic or robe worn by the Nazarenos.
VARALES
Silver or gold poles supporting the canopy/Palio which covers the image of the Virgin Mary.

PROTECTION OF MORTGAGE DEBTORS

We have received this information from MARTINEZ ECHEVARRIA I PEREZ I FERRERO ABOGADOS and thought we would share it with you.
If you would like further clarification of this information please contact david.perez@martinezechevarria.com

Royal Decree Law 6/2012 of 9 March, on urgent measures to protect mortgage holders out of resources.

Object.

- Establish measures to ensure the restructuring of mortgage debt of those with special difficulties in meeting its payment;
- Relax the foreclosure proceedings.

To whom it applies:

- As a general rule, debtors located on the threshold of exclusion loan or credit agreements secured by real estate mortgage
- Will be generally applicable measures contained in Articles 12 (extrajudicial execution procedure) and 13 (preference for access to aid for tenants).

Threshold. Shall be considered located at the threshold of exclusion those debtors of credit or loan secured by mortgage on your primary residence, when they concur in all of the following:

- Must be the only house owned by the debtor
- Loan / credit granted for purchase without collateral or inadequate personal
- All members of the household must have no earned income or economic activities;
- Higher mortgage payment to 60 per 100 in net income of the household;
- Members of the family unit must lack of assets to meet debt and Mode accreditation requirements. It develops in the art. 3

Moderation of default interest. From the time that the debtor prove that is located on the threshold of exclusion, the applicable penalty interest shall not exceed the result of adding a remunerative interest on the loan agreed a 2.5 per cent on capital outstanding loan. This measure applies, though the financial institution has not signed the Code of Good Practice, as Article 4 that includes the regulation is independent of the Code.

Code of Practice.

Features:

- May voluntarily subscribe to credit institutions or any other entity, professionally, carries out the loans or mortgages;
- Published as an annex to RDL;
- Once signed, compliance is mandatory;
- Either party may compel the other to grant deed of novation of the contract, applying the provisions contained in the Code of Good Practice, with the costs borne by the applicant, the innovation will have the effects specified in Article 4.3 of the Law 2/1994, (no change in range of the mortgage, except increased responsibility or term);
- May be invoked before the courts by the affected party;
- Stay in the Code shall be for a minimum of two years, automatically renewable from year to year;
- The acquisition value of the home being financed must be less than the following limits:
- Cities of more than one million people: 200,000€.
- Over 500,000 or in metropolitan areas of over a million: 180,000€
- Over 100,000 people: 150,000€.
- Other: 120,000€.
- Will be applicable only to the member institutions, debtors and contracts referred to this Royal Decree, not walking its length, as a matter of policy or interpretation, to any other area, although, of course, the member institutions may matter purely discretionary implement the provisions of the Code of Practice to debtors or improve various provisions contained therein.

Procedure:
- Financial institutions should communicate their inclusion in the General Secretariat of Treasury and Finance, who shall publish the quarterly list in Electronic Office and the BOE.
- Monitoring will be conducted by a Commission of Control which is a representation of the Spanish Mortgage Association, the Bank of Spain, the National Stock Exchange and the Ministry of Economy who will chair the committee and have a casting vote .
- The Control Commission shall publish a yearly report on their compliance.
- May be introduced to the Bank of Spain claims arising out of any alleged failure by the banks of the Code of Good Practice, which will receive the same treatment as other claims processing and resolution which corresponds to said Bank of Spain.

Misapplication. The debtor would have benefited both the reduced penalty interest as the provisions of the Code of Practice without qualifying for it, or who willfully and deliberately, seek placed or kept on the threshold, will affect at least the following consequences:

- Be liable for damages that may have occurred for an amount not less than the benefit improperly obtained;
- Pay all costs arising from the implementation of these measures of flexibility.

Fiscal

- ITPYAJD. A new article 45.IB number 23) of the revised text:
"23. The writings of formalization of contractual innovations and mortgage lending to occur pursuant to Royal Decree Law 6/2012 of 9 March, on urgent measures to protect mortgage borrowers without resources, shall be exempt from the quota phase- the notarial stamp mode of this tax. "
- Increase in Value of Urban Land. A new paragraph 3 to Article 106 of the Act Regulating Local Tax:
"3. In transfers made by debtors within the scope of Article 2 of Royal Decree Law 6/2012 of 9 March, on urgent measures to protect mortgage holders out of resources, on the occasion of the payment in your housing provided for in paragraph 3 of Annex of that rule will be considered a substitute for the taxpayer taxable entity acquires the property without the substitute may require the taxpayer the amount of tax obligations met. "
- Income tax. It adds an additional provision to Law 35/2006 of 28 November:
"Thirty-Sixth additional provision. Foreclosed housing. Shall be exempt from this tax the capital gains that could be generated in the debtors within the scope of Article 2 of Royal Decree Law 6/2012 of 9 March, on urgent measures to protect mortgage borrowers without resources, occasion of the payment in your home under paragraph 3 of Annex of this standard. "

Tariffs. The notary and registration duties arising from the cancellation of real rights in cases of mortgage foreclosed mortgaged debtor located in the threshold for exclusion of this Royal Decree-law, give a bonus by 50 percent. The debtor shall not bear any additional cost of the financial institution that purchases mortgage free of charge, ownership of the property mortgaged before.

Extrajudicial execution procedure. This reform is of general application and not only to debtors included in the threshold of exclusion, but only affects cases where the procedure taken against a debtor's residence:

1. The realization of the value of the property will take place through a single auction for that type will be that agreed in the memorandum of mortgage. However, if you submit a bid for an amount not less than 70 percent of the amount by which the good would come to auction, means the property awarded to whoever presents the best position.
2. When submitted the highest bid is less than 70 percent of the type referred to the auction, the debtor may file, within ten days, the third to improve posture, offering more than the 70 percent of the appraised value or, even less than this amount is sufficient to achieve complete satisfaction of the right of the performer.
3. After the said period expires without the debtor of good conduct as provided in the preceding paragraph, the creditor may, within a period of five days, the award of the property or properties for an amount not less than 60 percent of the appraised value .
4. If the creditor not to make use of that authority, means the property awarded to who has submitted the highest bid, provided that the amount you have offered over 50 percent of the appraised value or, still less, cover at least the amount claimed for all items.
5. If the act of the auction no bidder has not, the creditor may, within twenty days, request the award in the amount not less than 60 percent of the appraised value.
6. If the creditor fails to make use of the option referred to above, shall be governed by the provisions of Article 236 n. Regulation of Mortgage (if there should remain deserted auctions held and the creditor fails to do the right goods procured executed, the Notary will terminate execution and close and formally registered the minutes, which opened to the courts that apply).

The reform is to adapt this procedure a set of rules (Articles 234 et seq of the Mortgage Regulations, which refers to art. 129 LH) to the reforms of the Civil Procedure Act that affected their Article 670, 671 and later additions Sixth Additional Provision.

Now, the possibility of three auctions now limited to cases where the property is not the debtor's residence.

But even after this reform, it awards for bids to cover the amount claimed, but this was ridiculous (paragraph 4), also by the creditor, if he acted as a bidder.

MOTHERS DAY

"Mothers of teenagers know why animals eat their young." ~ Author Unknown

"Mothers are all slightly insane." ~ J.D. Salinger

"I want my children to have all the things I couldn't afford. Then I want to move in with them." ~ Phyllis Diller

"There is only one pretty child in the world, and every mother has it." ~ Chinese Proverb

"It takes a woman twenty years to make a man of her son, and another woman twenty minutes to make a fool of him." ~ Helen Rowland

"The most remarkable thing about my mother is that for thirty years she served the family nothing but leftovers. The original meal has never been found." ~ Calvin Trillin

"A suburban mother's role is to deliver children obstetrically once, and by car for ever after." ~ Peter De Vries

"It would seem that something which means poverty, disorder and violence every single day should be avoided entirely, but the desire to beget children is a natural urge." ~ Phyllis Diller

"All women become like their mothers. That is their tragedy. No man does. That's his." ~ Oscar Wilde

"A mother is a person who seeing there are only four pieces of pie for five people, promptly announces she never did care for pie." ~ Tenneva Jordan

"You don't really understand human nature unless you know why a child on a merry-go-round will wave at his parents every time around - and why his parents will always wave back." ~William D. Tammeus.

"Working mothers are guinea pigs in a scientific experiment to show that sleep is not necessary to human life." ~ Author Unknown

“Any mother could perform the jobs of several air-traffic controllers with ease." ~ LisaAlther

"My mother had to send me to the movies with my birth certificate, so that I wouldn't have to pay the extra fifty cents that the adults had to pay." ~ KareemAbdul-Jabbar

"My mother had a great deal of trouble with me, but I think she enjoyed it." ~ Mark Twain

"My mother's menu consisted of two choices: Take it or leave it." ~ Buddy Hackett

FRANK “IT’S THE WAY I TELL EM” CARSON HAS DIED AGED 85

Belfast born comedian Frank started out performing in local pubs and concert halls. He got his big break on the TV Show ‘Opportunity Knocks’ in the 1960s and then went on to take part in TV show ‘The Comedians’.
Described as “one of the nicest people in showbiz” Frank also worked tirelessly for charity.
Below are just some of his jokes and as he would say ‘IT’S A CRACKER’.
 Paddy calls a wrong number at 3am. "Is that O'Malley's Bar?" he asks. "No it's not, this is a private residence." "Oh, I must have the wrong number. Sorry to have troubled you," says Paddy. "Ah it's no trouble," says the stranger. "I had to get up to answer the phone anyway."
 My father fought in World War I single-handedly destroyed the Germans' lines of communication. He ate their pigeon.
 A fella said to the doctor: “What’s the good news?” “You’ve got 24 hours to live.” He says: “What’s the bad news?” And the doc says: “We should have told you yesterday.”
 An Irishman's wife gave birth to twins. Her husband demanded to know who the other man was.
 A fella walks into a pet shop and says: “Give me a wasp.” The shopkeeper replies: “We don’t sell wasps.” He says: “There’s one in the window.”
 A fella walked into hospital and the doctor said: “You’ve got three minutes to live.” The man said: “Can you do something for me?” “Yes,” he said. “I’ll boil you an egg.”
 Have you heard about the Irishman who reversed into a car boot sale and sold the engine?
 I don't think my wife likes me very much. When I had a heart attack she wrote for an ambulance.
 I rang British Telecom. I said, “I want to report a nuisance caller.” He said: "Not you again.”
 My wife said to me: “If you won the lottery, would you still love me?” I said: “Of course I would. I’d miss you, but I’d still love you.”

Alhaurin el Grande - Living life to the full in a typically Spanish town

Having spent a third of my life living in Alhaurin el Grande I am obviously qualified to talk about this amazing market town, so strategically positioned that by car anyone can be in Malaga, Marbella, Fuengirola, or Torremolinos in less than half an hour. Check it out on Google if you don’t believe me!

Off course it was not always like this. In 1988 when I bought my first home in Alhaurin el Grande it used to take me one hour fifteen minutes to get to the airport, and yes I did have a good car.

The views of the Guadalahorce valley from almost anywhere in Alhaurin are breathtaking and if one is lucky enough to live on the east side at the foot of the forest the views stretch as far as Malaga bay. On clear winter days one can see the cruise ships sailing in and out of the harbour.

The history of Alhaurin can be traced back to Roman times when the hills (Sierra de Mijas) were populated by huge oak trees, highly valued by the Romans for their boat building industry.

The total population is around 25,000 of which 20% are foreigners, British, Dutch, and Scandinavian. In fact most of Europe is represented, as well as a good proportion of South American states.

There is no shop, bar, restaurant or house for that matter where a foreigner is not made welcome. The Alhaurinos hospitality is legendary and at first it may seem overwhelming until one realises that every visitor is treated the same. The exception to this rule is when a foreign visitor tries to change what the locals see as important aspects of their culture like bullfighting, personal questions about the civil war, questioning the need for their religious processions etc. These things and many others are considered sacrosanct and not worth talking about with someone who does not see it the way they do. Having said that his year the Mayor has banned the traditional ‘cattle race’ through the town’s streets during the Feria (local celebrations). The Mayor made this decision because he deems it to cruel to the animals. This is a real progressive decision which seems to have been accepted without to much protest.

My very first meal in Alhaurin was a dinner at Casa Paco and it’s still there serving good fish six days a week. In 1988 it was one of three restaurants. Today there are more than thirty restaurants including an Indian, Chinese, Italian and even a traditional English fish and chip shop.

My favourite place is Finca la Mota a 12 bedroom hotel with a lovely restaurant. The hotel is only a few kilometres from the town centre and well worth a visit. It is Dutch owned with a German chef who can cook just about any dish in the world better than they would in the country of origin. Yes even Paella! www.fincalamota.com.

There is enough nightlife in Alhaurin to satisfy the most demanding ‘ravers.’ I am told that the fashion this year is Music bars from techno to country and anything else in between. When the night is over you can have breakfast in ‘Bar Dany’ another institution open 24 hours per day for 11 months of the year.

For those seeking sports facilities, Alhaurin is second to none. The Municipal Sports Centre boasts indoor and outdoor swimming pools, tennis courts, paddle, football 7, basketball and much much more. From 7:30 until 22:30 the centre is a bee hive of activities.

For golf lovers like me there are two great courses only 4km from the town centre and 52 more within half an hours drive in almost any directions. www.alhauringolfresort.com. www.laurogolf.com.

Alhaurin el Grande is not immune to the present economic crisis effecting most of the western world, but its people, friendliness, the great weather and peaceful surroundings make this particular difficult period more bearable.

Of course for anyone wishing to buy a property now is the time. Prices are rock bottom and people (those affected most by the crisis) are willing to negotiate. Others would not sell their property for anything in the world because they could not find another place like Alhaurin el Grande anywhere in the world.

Spanish Property Update

After 30 years of indiscriminative building in the countryside and hundreds of thousands of properties being sold mainly to foreign buyers who contracted lawyers to ensure that their investments were guaranteed by the correct paperwork, only to discover that a law that came into effect retrospectively in 2002 made their homes illegal and therefore unsellable.
Owners of these “illegal” properties in Axarquia and Guadalahorce Valley were promised a quick and fair solution by the Regional Government of Andalucia in 2005 when it proceeded to carry out an inventory of the affected properties town by town, village by village in alphabetical order. As it was to be expected the inventory was never finished and it only served to prosecute dozens of Mayors and officials for corruption and negligence, thus creating an even bigger problem of credibility as far as would-be investors in this region are concerned.
Six weeks ago the news that the Regional Government was going to legalise 60,000 country properties was leaked to the media only to be rectified by the Government this week who said that the new decree will legalise 10% of these rural homes. This will leave 80% in limbo although they would be subject to IBI (rates) which the majority of them already pay. The remaining 10% to be demolished.
This decision is an insult to the citizens of the Costa del Sol and Andalucia in general. I am personally outraged at the way these inept politicians have dealt with this problem of their own making and totally echo the statement of the president of SOHA, Philip Smalley when he said to the press “we do not know what to do next except wait for a change of Government (which hopefully will be on the 25th of March 2012) because the present one has demonstrated after six years of talking we now realise that they have not listened to anything we said.”
To summarise we live in Paradise, fantastic beaches, great countryside, beautiful and hospitable people, good infrastructure and of course the best climate in Europe. All we need is a few good laws which we can all abide by and a new Government made up of politicians who work for the people and not what we have now which is a band of corrupt, inept and proponent imbeciles. If on the 25th of March we get rid of this lot it will be the beginning of a new and more prosperous and happy Andalucia.