Discussions

Hi we are currently considering moving to Costa brava and are looking for information on which towns would best suit us.. I've 3 children aged 18 11 and 2 so looking for somewhere that would suit everyone and also what schools woul be the best and if the schools are English speaking.. I'm also looking for information regarding work im a hairdresser so could either open up a hair salon or work in one... All information would be a great help I'm planning on visiting a few towns soon thanks

It is 60 years ago since the first package holiday from the UK arrived in Catalunya in the Costa Brava. The cost at the time was £35. This amount was the equivalent of 10 weeks wages to the average worker at the time. This of course was the first package to anywhere in Spain. Remember the song ''We are all off to sunny Spain, to the Costa Brava shore'' How has CB changed since then ? Have any of you memories of the eary day package holidays to CB ? Why was CB chosen as the first destination for these holidays ? How does CB compare to other destinations in Spain or anywhere else in Europe ? How does the value compare now with the old days in CB ? How are holiday makers getting to CB now ? I think that CB is the most beautiful, interesting, best value, best beaches, nicest people, most historic, greatest weather etc. etc. etc. place on God's earth. What do all you other lovers of CB think ? 

Good AfternoonMy name is Hannah Smith and I am an officer for the National Crime Agency.  You may have seen in the Spanish press or on Social media channels that we have launched an operation focused at finding fugitives who have fled England and could have possibly settled within Spain.We are reaching out to your community to ask for your help, whether you have any info or if you can share our content?Our NCA_UK twitter account has a lot of information on this operation, as does our Facebook account and anything you could share to your networks would be greatly appreciated.Here is the link to the full story - Op CapturaThank you 

No one seems to know yet what Brexit actually means, least of all the British Government, however this link provides some clues as to how British expats may be affected.http://www.ecfr.eu/page/-/ECFR_176_-_HOW_BREXIT_COULD_HURT_EXPATS.pdf

Hi, I am looking for expats who would be willing to talk to me for my new book. You would be kept anonymous and I would like to hear your story, how you got to live in France and how you coped, what you did, any regrets etc. I can talk to you on Skype or email or, if you are up for it, I can send you some questions. I would like to get as many varied stories as I can, both positive and negative. Thankyou and I look forward to hearing from you.

We have had many enquiries since the Brexit referendum about how to get Spanish citizenship so we thought we'd point out our recently updated How To on just that topic: https://angloinfo.com/costa-brava/how-to/page/costa-brava-moving-residency-spanish-citizenshipMadge

Hi there - my husband and I are looking to move to the Costa Brava later this year. I know it's pretty subjective but can anyone recommend the best place to live? We're reasonably active people and would like to be closer to the coast rather than inland. We'd also need to be near good transport into Gerona and Barcelona. I've never been there so any suggestions would be greatly appreciated! Thanks!

Hello, I worked in Blanes 20 years ago and returned there last week what a difference ..  Does anyone remember the place or lived there 20 years ago ..?There was an English bar on the way out to Lloret if my memory is correct .. does anyone remember it .. ThanksRgdsChris

If anyone is interested and want the UK to stay in the EU, you can vote in the referendum. If you have lived outside the UK for under 15 years you can contact the local council where you last lived and ask for a form to vote. You have to renew every year, but that's not a problem.  

Where is the best place to buy sherry?  We don't need it in bottles, en vrac would be fine. Many thanks

Are there really just half a dozen expats out there? There was a guy looking for info on sailing at Roses. Is there NOBODY from Roses with any local info?

Hi All hope someone can advise me on the best place to live on the Costa Brava? My Husband and I thinking of moving and are coming to look at properties on 9th May. I have seen quite a few properties for sale in Calafell. Does anyone know this area? We are looking for a place that is lively all year round. I would like to to be walking distance or a short drive to shops and restaurants cute cafes. Where can I find all year round cafe atmosphere on the Costa Brava? We have to be within an hours drive of Barcelona Airport because of my husbands work. House with a view would be nice. I would like to be in a place with a few English too advice apreciated. Thanks Sarah

My local "butanero" seems to have more propane than butane bottles these days. It looks like Repsol are trying to make a change. The gasman says it's more or less the same but I've been checking and the two seem to be very different. Propane is not recommended for inside use as the liquid turns to gas more easily. Does anybody have any knowledge on this? So far I have stuck to butane even if it means waiting till his next visit.

I'd love to know how this was thought of - the format for the dates for retirement!!! Date of birth lottery! https://www.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/310231/spa-timetable.pdf  Sorry we do not need to hear that "life is not fair" - this is unjust. This is not a male against female rant! Please sign the petition below and see the WASPI site on Facebook for more info. https://petition.parliament.uk/petitions/110776

Sometimes the obvious is not clear until somebody points it out. Like when bigben suggested that there was great value to be had in off season hotels in Costa Brava in June / September etc. We are off next week for 2 nights to a 4**** hotel in Platja, located on the beach, with a room that has a balcony with sea views. We have booked FULL BOARD. It is not costing €400. It is in fact costing us €99. Yes folks that is €24.75 per person per day for luxury bedroom, breakfast, lunch, dinner, gym, swimming pool and other fantastic facilities. We booked as he suggested through booking.com. So, what about it, passing on good news like bigben did. He was also the first to mention ''Filmon'' a few years ago. Might we suggest an internet site called ''viooz''. This is the simple name of a site where you can stream thousands of films including the very latest FREE of charge. There is no signing up or any other messing. Looking forward to many, many great suggestions. Thank ou.

A chip butty for Marino. We spent a very pleasant night in Roses last night (€56 in a nice hotel half-board). Taking a walk along the promenade of Roses we stopped in a bar called Les Palmeres (or Las Palmeras). They had "pan de Belga" for €3. It was massive with chips and salad, too big for one person but it came with a knife for sharing. Maybe not quite a "chip butty" as a Scouser would imagine it but the Belgian version was very nice. And it came with ketchup and mayonnaise (sorry no brown sauce). So that's now Roses, Malgrat de Mar, Salou and next weekend Pineda de Mar. Full board or half board for around €50 the night. It's great fun being tourists in our own back yard. June's nearly finished so the price will go gazumping in July but June is the best month anyway, and there's still September.

Oh dear me ! Is it hot, or is it hot here in Costa Brava ? Any suggestions on what is the best drink to cool down ? Now I know water is the most healthy. I like red martini mixed 4 parts 7up / Sprite with 1 part martini with plenty of ice and a slice of lemon.

We have been living around this area for the last 15 years. We have always been deeply interested in dogs. 12 years ago we joined ''Associaió Canina Unió Cinófila de Catalunya'' For 3 years we were ordinary members, then we worked with them as judges (we had previous experience) and for the last 7 years we have been active members of the principal committee. Our main interest in the group is ''dog welfare'' 3 years age we were both appointed to the dog welfare sub committee of ''Real Sociedad Canina de Espana'' Without blowing our trumpets it would be fair to say we know EVERYTHING that is going on about dogs in Catalunya and Spain. We have always kept an eye on what was going on in Anglo. Recently we are sick to the teeth with the rubbish that is being printed about dogs in Spain. This Airyfairy person that does not even live in Spain must be getting her information from a conspiricy site. This stuff about Murcia is in her imagination. She seems to be tied in with ''pirate'' groups that are run by expats that are in it for the few bob. The group she mentions for example in her post has a dog website that is FULL of expat advertising  property, expat pubs & discos etc. etc. This group in Murcia are putting out vile rmours about ''dog cruelty'' in Spain only to create a reason for themselves to be there. This Airyfairy person should look closer at France and their dog laws. For 200 years up to 2014 dogs in France had the OFFICIAL status equal to that of furniture. As you can not hurt a chair there was no law preventing cruelty to cats or dogs. The law there now sees dogs as having the minimum amount of intelligence and therefore has the right to exist.  Perhaps Airyfairy you can tell me why you are not posting in your local Anglo in France, is it something to do with dogs and their own doorstep ? Lastly, may I say that there is some cruelty to dogs in Spain but not near the leval of France and the UK (not including Scotland) These statistics are official and not from your ''pirate'' people Airyfairy.  

We have a unique opportunity to ask our respective MEPs to support a Written Declaration which will improve the circumstances of millions of animals throughout the EU. 'In Europe, there are many laws and regulations intended to protect the welfare of animals, but national government authorities do not always possess the range of expertise required to ensure their effective implementation. Standards in animal care vary considerably across Europe and the government authorities tasked with inspection of animal facilities, largely lack expertise and access to training. Therefore, additional assistance, such as that enshrined in Written Declaration No.22/2015, to establish a central point for information and expertise, could vastly improve the standards of animal care throughout Europe.' Please have a look at the link from the Born Free Foundation which explains the situation in more detail and tells you how to find out who your MEP is.. There is even a sample letter available to download. http://www.bornfree.org.uk/news/news-article/?no_cache=1&tx_ttnews%5Btt_news%5D=1874 For this to become a reality, we need the support of al least half of the MEPs. So please forward this to anyone you know who may be willing to help by asking their MEP to sign up. Thank you. PS Time is of the essence as the MEPs break for summer on 20th July.

ACTIN, in collaboration with San Animal and Cruz Azul have announced the National Animal Welfare Conference to be held in Los Alcázares, Murcia on 16th-18th October 2015. It is believed to be the first of its kind and will bring together leaders in all aspects of the field as well as people already running rescues and sanctuaries, and those wishing to learn how best to help at all levels and in all sorts of ways.   “Our mission is to bring together as many people as we can who are involved in animal welfare in Spain, to encourage co-operation and exchange of ideas” said Lyn Baines, Conference Manager. “We will be launching the PAES Project at the conference and we have some exceptional speakers on various topics.” Please see the website for more details and pass this on to anyone who you think may be interested. Registration donations are low to ensure that the event is open to as many people as possible. Are you troubled by the state of animal welfare in this country? This is your great chance to get involved and to help make a difference. You are not alone!   http://www.proteccionanimales.es/paes-events/national-animal-welfare-conference-oct-2015/