Former Huddersfield gymnast and pub landlord Brian Hayhurst and his wife Elaine are ex-pats who have lived just outside Fuengirola on the Costa del Sol for 20 years. He writes every week for Huddersfield Hub.
The stunning weather continues to give masses of people much enjoyment on the Costa del Sol and all other areas up and down this coastline.
It is most evident that golf is once more proving to be a very popular sport/pastime as the courses and driving ranges are once more, extremely busy.
The beautiful city of Valencia is pushing hard to allow Brits to enjoy more than the 90 days in the country. The EU ruling is, they say, drastically affecting the city’s economy. I think it is affecting the entire country.
I noted the other day that the UK announced there were 39,000 Covid cases. Here in Spain, people are generally still wearing face coverings and sanitise at the entrance to most venues, which I feel is helping to contain the disease and able to report 67.7 cases per 100,000 inhabitants.
Last month I told the story about a former Huddersfield plumber Lawrence Whiteley, a holidaymaker, who had his car wrongly towed away by police.
At the time they claimed it was not insured but later they realised a mistake had been made and relented and told him to collect the car from a remote compound – at a cost of €83.49.
This stupid mistake caused him much distress and the authorities would not refund the €83.49 towing charge.
We decided to fight the case, as Lawrence said, “on principle grounds.” Whilst here he toured around various offices, Town Hall and court etc but he went back home empty-handed.
Lawrence scanned me all the documents and this week I went to the daunting Las Lagunas police station clutching seven pages of evidence to be met outside by a frosty-faced stroppy young copper who glanced at the translated statements and immediately said: “Sorry we can’t help with this, off you go!”
READ MORE: What happened when Lawrence had his car seized by Spanish police
As I turned on the steps to take a photo, another police officer who had overheard the brief conversation came down and said: “Let me see the papers please, I will try and help you.”
She was great and invited me into a waiting area whilst she disappeared to talk with a superior.
On her return with a huge smile she said: “Mr Brian, if you bring in the original receipt for the grua (tow truck), Mr Fernandez will give you the money!” As I write the receipt is winging its way to me.
Spain has been in the wrong time zone for eight decades and the government here is yet again considering bringing it back in line with GMT – where it should be.
World War Two was raging as the Fuhrer took a train ride to the Spanish border to meet the dictator – Francisco Franco and seek the country’s support.
Spain had little to offer Hitler as it was in ruins after a long and bitter Civil War in the 1930s. So Franco decided in his wisdom to move clocks ahead one hour in line with Nazi Germany.
Ever since that meeting in October 1940, Spain has remained geographically in line with Britain but in CET – Central European Time. The sun rises and sets much later than the rest of the time zone.
This time change possibly has something to do with the fact that Spaniards are notoriously late eaters. Where we might have an evening meal around 6pm maybe 7pm, they will start at 9pm or 10pm.
Finally, a quick mention of the Angel/Royal Oak reunion next Saturday at Paddock Cricket Club (you might have wondered why the picture above!) We hope it is a well-attended fun-filled event. Sad we cannot be with you all. Best wishes.
READ MORE: Follow Brian Hayhurst’s life as an ex-pat every week – and catch up on all his blogs HERE
