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 fortnight for Huddersfield Hub.

At this moment in time along the 160km Costa del Sol coastline, and in fact throughout Spain, there is now a desperate shortage of the following: properties for sale, hospitality staff, construction workers and, of course, water.

I have spoken to several estate agents who are offering properties in a price range from thousands to multi million euros. And they all agreed that there is not enough to offer the growing number of potential home owners.

And with the number of packed flights coming into the various regions this summer, which is scheduled to increase by 30%, it is likely that many of these passengers could be looking for a property.

I have mentioned before the dire water situation throughout the country, and I feel that the whole holiday industry might fail unless something is done to save this vital commodity and create more water with desalination etc.

There are efforts to save water – 80% of the Costa’s golf courses use recycled water, for example – but with 300 days of sunshine and record temperatures right now, the pressure is on supplies.

A massive incentive to come to Spain is golf in Andalucia. There are more courses than anywhere else in Europe, which generates 2.2 billion euros annually, and the use of recycled wastewater is being increasingly utilised from sewage treatment plants. But not for all the beautifully presented courses.

In many restaurants everywhere, owners are still eager to get the staff to serve and indulge the wide range of nationalities, some queueing to get in to be seated and be pampered, offering some splendid cuisine to suit all pockets.

But in some of the more salubrious areas of the Costa del Sol, a lot of the popular and much loved traditional chiringuitos (beach bars) are being snapped up by investment groups converting them into exclusive venues and beach clubs, probably to attract the wealthier clientele.

Gone are the boom days of construction in the 1990s when thousands of youngsters abandoned their studies to go into building, being attracted by high salaries.

But now many young people do not have sufficient qualifications, desire or a skill level. And the industry is just about coping with an older workforce.

READ MORE: Catch up on Brian’s previous blogs HERE

Everywhere you look there are blocks of flats, villas etc being squeezed into any available space attempting to keep pace with demand. But there is always the lack of skilled workers.

All of the water parks are open and are filled with people of all ages, but here again these popular fun spots are eagerly seeking staff to oversee the crowds.

How long will it be before electric scooters are banned, or seriously legalised? I am prompted by a friend who saw close up, a lady hit by a scooter from behind – ridden by two helmet-less youngsters – 12/13 years old, on the seafront pavement. They screeched with laughter as they rode away!

These irritating machines do not have to be insured in Spain, which I feel is a must if the 200 serious accidents per year in this region are to be reduced.

Finally, one of a few Coronation celebrations was staged by The Lions Club – La Cala who held a splendid party in the park for hundreds of people of all ages, with music, stalls and a yummy cake bake competition.

A wonderful atmosphere was enjoyed, and over €1,000 was raised for local charities. The main image (above, top) shows party-goers trying to avoid the blistering sun!

Although the heat did not put off the thousands queuing for over an hour for free sardines on labour day in our local village – La Cala de Mijas.