Huddersfield ex-pat BRIAN HAYHURST reports from his home near Fuengirola on the Costa del Sol
There are still a lot of areas being cleared up after the storms, but things are definitely getting back to ‘normal’ as towns up and down the coast prepare for what is looking like a bumper Christmas for the restaurants and entertainment outlets.
And the weather has settled down, chilly nights but mainly sunshine throughout each day.
The street lighting workers are introducing more and more decorative features, with the amazing Malaga city lights to music display twice nightly set to once more attract over a million people.
Ever since we came to live here there has been a blight of groups and individuals taking over properties as squatters or ‘okupas.’
They fearlessly break in and live in unoccupied homes of innocent people, up to now knowing they will not be removed.
But now Spain’s Congress has promised to evict these drop-outs from sometimes beautiful holiday homes or houses temporarily vacant.
They use all facilities and utilities freely, often leaving them in a terrible state, and the police are helpless to evict as there have been no clear laws to get them out.
Sweeping reforms with swift justice are heading for final approval of the Senate which will allow police to get these scumbags out within days – not months or even years of destructive filthy living and stealing personal belongings.
Often those who fail to pay rent for years then strip the property of absolutely everything including electrics and plumbing systems!
There are vigilante groups of burly, intimidating guys who are prepared to move in and physically remove offenders – for a fee!
Scams are on the rise and the latest one here which Brits and others have to be aware of, is a bogus parking fine in the form of a paper slip on their car windscreens which contain a sophisticated QR code, stacked full of malware. Scanning this code can lead to all personal information being invaded.
Among the hundreds of people doing amazing things for worthwhile charities here is an outstanding couple who, for several years, have worked relentlessly and tirelessly for many desperate, hard working groups and individuals, enriching lives and giving ill-treated animals secure comfort.
Alan and Jenny Boardman have raised many thousands of euros for a multitude of charities including the disabled, homeless and various animal rescue centres.
Now these Costa fundraisers organised 20 collection/drop off points for unwanted spectacles, pencils, pens and toothbrushes that they will give directly to the poorest hospitals and schools during their upcoming self-funded trip to Uganda next month.
Alan said: “The price of spectacles is way beyond the reach of ordinary Ugandans and the health service cannot provide them.
“We have been astonished by the response. Jenny and I will be proud to represent the Costa del Sol.”
Last year they took several suitcases full of these much-needed items.
Finally, on top of the 90-day rule, the Spanish government have this week introduced detailed 42-point personal checks on all people entering the country in a bid to reduce organised crime and terrorism.
These new laws, first developed three years ago, are bound to create more long queues for families eager to get into the sunshine.
Information includes – where and who you will live with, who/how did you pay for it and much more. And you must have at least six months remaining on all passports.
READ MORE: Catch up on Brian’s previous blogs HERE.
