Real Madrid v Manchester United

Old rivals Manchester United and Real Madrid have been drawn to play in the last 16 of the European Champions League.

This will mean the first return of Cristiano Ronaldo to Old Trafford since he was sold to Real Madrid in June 2009.

The rivals last met in the 2002-03 quarter finals when Real Madrid won 6-5 on aggregate.

The first leg to take place February 12/13 or 19/20 and the return March 5/6 or 12/13/

Looks good ........

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Ventana de foto

Just added a new addition to my list of Spanish Blogs - Ventana De Foto

This Blog has some very good photographs and is based around southern Spain - Sevilla / Segovia and other places in Andalusia.

Enjoy.

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Benidorm 2009

No current photos of Spain / this year we've had to remain in the UK - however here is a picture of Benidorm taken in 2009.

I doubt if much has changed in the last 4 or 5 years.

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Catalonia

Today important regional elections will be held in Catalonia.

Polls indicate that the nationalist parties will do very well - the election is focused again on the question of independence plus a row with central government over funding.

Should the nationalists gain a good proportion of the vote they will be demanding a referendum on the question of independence something the central government will resist.

Exciting times ahead.

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Real Madrid

Not a very good start to the La Liga season for Real Madrid this year.

A defeat 1-0 to Sevilla yesterday sees them 11th in the league with one win, one draw and two games we will not mention - a total of four points.

This is a situation that can not be allowed to continue - heads will roll.

Tuesday sees Manchester City visit Madrid in the Champions League - this game I shall be watching on TV and I would imagine it will be good as both teams are evenly matched.

Perhaps it will end a draw - 1-1 / that is my prediction !!

Enjoy.

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Hot !!!

 I see from the weather forecast that tomorrow will have a high of 97F. in Guardamar.

Somewhat a little hot for me - I'm finding it hot here in the UK and we are 20 degrees lower.

It's no wonder many expats go back home in the summer months.

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New residency requirements

As from the 9th July new rules apply with regard to nationals of the European Union who wish to reside more than 3 months in Spain - Order 1490.


Residents must prove they have sufficient income so as not to become a burden on the state and are either covered by private health care or covered by the National Health system of their originating country.


I'm sure this is going to become a logistical nightmare for some people and I can not ascertain from the documents I've read whether this applies to people already living in Spain who have residency documents already.


In the short term it will deter people from entering Spain to live and no doubt have an effect on the property market.

We await further news ..

Guardamar fiesta

For full details of this weeks fun and games in Guardamar see 


http://www.guardamardelsegura.es/recursos/fiestas-2012.pdf


Have fun


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Euro 2012 Final

The final of Euro 2012 on Sunday and Spain are there..


The opponents Italy in what would appear to be a very interesting match.


No doubt there will be a lot of screaming and shouting in the bars up and down the Costa Blanca.


I think our Manchester City player Mario will be a deciding factor  - either a couple of goals or a red card and an early bath.


We'll see....


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Central heating

As you lounge on the beach with the sun beating down just think on that in the UK we still have the central heating on. 


As I write the rain is bouncing down in bucket loads.


So nothing new here then...

Euro 2012 Spain - Italy

The venue Gdansk Poland


Score Spain 1 Italy 1


Not the best start for Spain. Torres came on as substitute in the second half but failed to score even after being given great goal scoring opportunities.


Must admit my eyes began to droop but that may have been caused by numerous glasses of wine.


Better luck next time


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Eurozone Aid

Spain's finance minister has confirmed that they will seek financial aid to help prop up the ailing banking system.


Madrid insists that this is not a rescue and not all banks need money.


A formal request has not been made but her eurozone partners would be prepared to lend them up to 100bn euros. Two independent audits of the banking system should be published 21st June and that will reveal how much cash is needed.


We home owners will now have to wait and see what happens next to property values and taxes.


Watch this space.....


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La Liga

Real Madrid have clinched the title of La Liga after a 3-0 win over Athletico Bilbao.

This is their first league title since 2008.

Manager Jose Mourinho has now won titles in four different countries after triumphs with Porto, Chelsea and Inter Milan.

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Expat Blog

For information,advice and forums for expats living away from the UK go to Expat Blog.

You'll find it at http://www.expat-blog.com/

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Bad week for Spanish football ..

Another bad week for Spanish football - neither Real Madrid or Barcelona will feature in the UEFA Champions League Final.

Barcelona were upset by Chelsea and Bayern Munich triumphed over Real Madrid in a penalty shootout.

Such is life....

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La Liga

Real Madrid managed to beat their old rivals Barcelona 2-1 yesterday - goals from Khedira and Ronaldo of Madrid and Sanchez of Barcelona.


This now gives Real Madrid a seven point lead in the title race.


Wednesday is now the important game of the year - against Bayern Munich in the  UEFA Champions League and a 2-1 deficit to make up.


So much excitement .....


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A lovely sunny day .. ..

A lovely sunny day here in England and warmth to match Spain ...

This unseasonal weather is expected to last for the next few days and then temperatures will drop to normal.

It is strange to sit in the garden in such sunny and warm weather and yet the trees are still to leaf.

It is not unusual to have snow at this time of the year so we'll just wait and see what is still in store for us.

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Golden glow

From the darkness of our balcony the sun is shining on the building opposite and leaving it in a golden glow.

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Anchor

Here's the anchor - all I need now is the boat.

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Evening time ..

Not many skies like this in the UK at the moment - apart from this evening lots of cloud about normally.

Not at all sure when we will get back to Spain - one worn out knee to be sorted first - perhaps !!

Not many photos left to load onto the Blog either - it's a poor do.

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Sky over Guardamar

Sunset ....

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Twisted tree 2 ..

This has really twisted - there must be some wind coming off the sea.

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Twisted ..

The wind from the sea has twisted this tree into a rather peculiar shape - Guardamar pine forest.

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Guardamar - Dunes

Reminder of warmer and sunnier days - in the dunes of Guardamar

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Buoy

Buoy - lying there doing nothing in particular ..

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Down on the beach - Guardamar

Photo taken this autumn - beach at Guardamar.

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Over the fence ..

I guess this fence has been erected to stop people walking down to the sea - this is the site of a now demolished property and the fence is no barrier at all.

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Guardamar TV

You can now watch Guardamar TV on your computer and catch up with what is happening around the town.

http://www.guardamartv.com/

Again - enjoy ..

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Antena3 / Telecinco / Cuatro

Away from Spain ?

Do you have a great desire to watch Spanish TV ?

http://www.antena3.com/ and http://www.mitele.es will allow you to catch up with some of your favourite programmes - watch direct.

Enjoy.

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Moros y cristianos - Guardamar

It is a near to impossible task trying to ascertain the dates of Guardamar's Moors and Christians celebrations.

However after a lot of searching the internet we have discovered it runs from July 20th to 29th this year.

The town will be very busy - it will be very hot but watching the parades and fireworks will make it well worthwhile.

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Guardamar

Quiet now down by the park but in summer this area will be heaving ..

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Guardamar - Pine Forest

Another nice sunny day - photos taken September/October.

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Dark clouds ..

Dark clouds on the horizon ..

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Flowers

On our return to Spain these will be long gone - lack of water ( unless heavy rain decides to visit throughout the winter )

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Jigsaw

A visit to Spain is never complete without a jigsaw to pass away a few days.

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Spanish unemployment ..

The number of people in Spain claiming unemployment benefit has risen to 4.42 million.

This is a fifteen year high and the fifth straight monthly rise.

The new government has a lot of work to do !!

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Happy New Year

Happy New Year 2012

Feliz Año Nuevo 2012

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