Disney in Manilva

I've just read a really interesting article in the Sunday Times about the possibility of Disney opening up a "leisure" park in the Manilva area of the Costa del Sol (which is where we live).

The Disney spokesman states that it would be a smaller venture than Euro Disney, perhaps being a sort of childrens summer camp. On the other hand the Manilva town hall spokesman reckons it's going to be huge just like Euro Disney! Who would you believe?

If any of this goes ahead it will do absolute wonders for this already thriving area. We recently wrote an article about off plan opportunities in Manilva. There have been rumours about Disney doing something in the area but I think this is the first time something has actually been communicated about it.

Roll on Disney....

Birthdays in Spain

Our twins turned 4 today (wow where have those years gone!). We held their birthday party on Saturday afternoon to which we invited some of their English and Spanish friends. The plan was to hold it around the pool but in the end we held it in the apartment as the pool wasn't working (the pumps keep blowing).

One of our friends told us that the Spanish never go to English birthday parties, they just don't. So, we we'rent sure if any Spanish would turn up. How delighted were we (and our daughters) that some of their Spanish friends DID turn up! They found an "English" party to be very interesting and quite different to a Spanish party. It seems that Spanish parties tend to be a big eating and drinking occasions (for the adults) and the kids...well they just get on with it! Our Spanish friends thought it was great that we played pass-the-parcel (they don't play this in Spain) and then did an Easter egg hunt!

All in all it went really well and I think everyone had a nice time. We're looking forward to going to a proper Spanish party and seeing what that's like. I'll report back soon.

4 years....how time flies....

Antequera airport - New hotspot?

I read the other day that Antequera airport is close to getting the thumbs up to accept European flights. Antequera is located about 30 minutes inland from Malaga on the Costa del Sol. I have read in a few places that property prices have been increasing quite rapidly in the area over the past 3 years, but compared to prices down here on the coast they actually seem really cheap.

We have someone trying to sell a 4 bed "house" in antequerra for 150K! It's even got a private pool. This ia a lot of house for very little money. I think with the fact that there will be an airport in Antequera soon then this has got to be a property hotspot...although I'm no expert so don't take my word for it!

Beaches in Spain - Welcome 2006

Last Sunday was a glorious day. It truly felt like summer. So, swimming gear on, buckets and spades in hands (just the kids!), we all trotted down to the beach. It felt like ages since we'd last been to the beach to swim but I did brave it in the sea. I have to say, it was quite cold (it's ok after a couple of minutes when the whole body goes numb). But well worth it and the kids had a great time. Looks like beach weather is back now...

I am sure by now everyone knows about the mayor of Marbella being arrested last week. This seems to happen all the time (our mayor in Manilva was also arrested recently on similar charges). Marbella town hall has had quite a long history of being extremely corrupt...no matter who's in charge. I wonder whether they will ever get an honest mayor there?