Was going to Spain from start to finish but now I, Luca have taken over

Was about researching about where to look & about living in Spain I am here. So was for anyone interested here are the good & bad things that happened to me. But now I (Luca) will tell you about my experiences, both very bad, better and good.

Back home in Spain!
Saturday, June 29, 2013 @ 8:40 PM

Landing at Malaga with Ryanair, early as usual, I was met on exit from the aircraft with superb blast of lovely hot air. 21.00 hours & still lovely & warm, I really felt I was glad to be back. I needed to hang about though for a couple of hours as my good friends, Sandra & Neil were returning from Scotland & were giving me a lift home. Thanks again Neil, much appreciated.

So now after a good night’s sleep my immediate problem is to insure my car as it expires tomorrow.

Ummm, not as easy I thought, few Spanish Insurance companies want to know about a British car with English number plates & after a fruitless trip to Torre del Mar was sitting at the Plaza bar talking about it, when a total stranger leaned over & handed me a business card saying, “Go to see Esperanza at Liberty Seguros. Her office is by the police station, she is excellent”. “But will she insure my English car?” I asked. The question was in the affirmative so 10 minutes later my appointment was made to see her the following morning at 9.00am. We talked for a while, I had the quotations & found that the package was acceptable. But horrors I had not got my registration document for the car as last week whilst in England had sent it to the DVLA for an address change. I also did not have a NIE number. I dragged my feet with that as when going to the police station some weeks ago I was put off by the disorderly shambles outside. So I returned home to contemplate my course of action but I was now worried my as insurance was fast running out. Looking again through my (extensive) paperwork I found a duplicate registration document, great, I had forgotten about that. So hastening down to Torre del Mar again I saw Esperanza again at 14.00. “You still need an NIE number” she said, “Come on we’ll get it we have all the paperwork”.

“The police station is only 3 minutes walk away we’ll get the forms, pay the bank, fill them in & you will have to pop back in the morning as they only complete the NIE’s between 9.00 & 11.00”

Well, dunno what she said but 15 minutes later they issued the number & she collected it for me the following day on which she issued me with my car insurance. I therefore very strongly recommend her to anyone. Afterwards she told me she had never applied for an NIE & didn’t actually know what she was doing, but she was more than good enough for me.

Off to see her again on Thursday morning to complete my insurance requirements especially as I have my total trust in her.

So, I have spoken again with Esperanza & everything I wanted insurance wise she did exactly. (And I am difficult to appease having worked in the industry for 20 years). So I again suggest if you live around Torre Del Mar, want insurance & are worried about getting your NIE speak to her she is brilliant. (She also speaks perfect English).

Then on Saturday off to a barbecue at Catherine & Ian’s on Saturday so it’s still all go.

Wonder if Spain will beat Italy & then Brazil to win the Confederation’s Cup on Sunday?

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31 Comments

Bruca said:
Saturday, June 29, 2013 @ 11:45 PM

Not wishing to give away our age but we were always led to believe that SAGA do not have a limit on how long a car is out of the UK for.

Allan Francis said:
Sunday, June 30, 2013 @ 12:19 PM

As organised as ever I see Gerald! Seems like a combination of your mañana syndrome and your total disorganisation is working wonderfully!

Gerald said:
Sunday, June 30, 2013 @ 5:57 PM

Thanks Bruca, that's intersting information although I now my insurance. But interesting information for any one else.

Idiot Francis on again .......

Allan Francis said:
Monday, July 1, 2013 @ 5:00 PM

Youre the one who is supplying all the evidence as to who is an idiot Gerald! Did you honestly work in the insurance industry in the UK?

Gerald said:
Monday, July 1, 2013 @ 5:32 PM

Yes I did & from your stupid idiotic comments doubt if you were able to work at all. Another crank from the nuthouse! TROLL.

eggcup said:
Tuesday, July 2, 2013 @ 8:54 AM

You said it, Gerald. Some people have to present themselves as infallible and everyone else as just not as good as them. It must stem from some deep insecurity, thus in a sense we should pity them. I don't however; I just find them a pain. And it's strange how, despite them criticising us and what we write and how we present our experiences, they keep on reading! Go and read something else, is what I say, and stay out of our space.
It sounds like it is all going well, so good luck to you and take it easy and continue enjoying yourself. Eggie.

Stella of alcaucin said:
Tuesday, July 2, 2013 @ 12:49 PM

Gerald and eggcup, I have to say that I concur totally with Allan. He has every right to comment, and I also have to say that his comments make sense too. It is staggering how you in particular Gerald can't see this. When you blog, you leave yourself open to comments. Don't grumble if some are not complimentary! If you are both so touchy - then stop blogging intimate details about your lives to the world. It often strikes me as a sign of insecurity when people feel they have to let others know, of their mundane existence, in this world.

Gerald said:
Tuesday, July 2, 2013 @ 5:14 PM

Stella nobody asks you to read my blog & you & idiot obviously do not or cannot read properly or fully. I suggest you look at it again AND READ IT CAREFULLY.
But then as neither of you can even have the intelligence to complete your profiles I surmise you are also incapable of writing a blog. Until you do I suggest you both keep your traps firmly shut.
It obviously erks you to read my blog (well partly read it anyway!!) but to annoy you more I may start twice weekly. Yrt anothet TROLL.

Gerald said:
Tuesday, July 2, 2013 @ 5:20 PM

thank you Eggie for your support. They are obviously very insecure as you say, very poor unintelligent souls who have nothing better to do than to criticise but cannot make the effort (or brains) to write something themselves.
And yes Eggie it is all going well & my long trail & effort is all coming now to fruition.

Louise said:
Tuesday, July 2, 2013 @ 9:05 PM

Oh dear! I do agree that if you don't read the blogs for what they are and accept that each and every one of us has a different take on life, then don't bother. No one is forced to read them and if you don't like a particular one don't read it!
I too was recommended Liberty as one that will insure Uk plated cars. I also have found another company that will insure Uk plated vehicles. We need this for our bikes until we put them on Spanish plates. I have had some very reasonable quotes. They have even accepted our no claims from the Uk. :)

Gerald said:
Tuesday, July 2, 2013 @ 9:23 PM

Thank you Louise for your support, nice to hear from you again.
Yes, Liberty gave me 60% NCD as well as I had the required ranging back a dozen years.

Lin said:
Wednesday, July 3, 2013 @ 10:47 AM

Interesting Gerald that while all around carry on about how hard it is to get an NIE number you managed in in fifteen minutes. Doesn't sound disorganised to me at all. Thanks for the information. 👍 Lin

Patricia (Campana) said:
Wednesday, July 3, 2013 @ 2:21 PM

I agree that when a blog is put up it is open to comments. COMMENTS, not personal attack. There is a difference. There will always be those who cannot comment, disagree, or discuss without making personal attacks. They do not know any other communication style, and the best tactic is to ignore.

If someone wishes to blog, no matter how mundane the topic, then it is a free country, and they are entitled to blog. Anyone who finds the content "mundane", or boring or anything else, then surely there are so many other blogs on the net that they would find more congenial.

Could I again urge bloggers not to rise to the bait when there are personal attacks. Usually the attacker is seeking a reaction and delighted when you do so.

Gerald said:
Wednesday, July 3, 2013 @ 7:35 PM

Fed up with I'll have to consider whether to continue this blog or not Let the tossers have their way ...............

Gerald said:
Wednesday, July 3, 2013 @ 7:36 PM

Thank you Lin for your support xx

Patricia (Campana) said:
Wednesday, July 3, 2013 @ 9:42 PM

Just keep the blog going, Gerald, and IGNORE any trolls. They WANT you to react.
Why should a troll drive you away?

Bruca said:
Thursday, July 4, 2013 @ 4:22 PM

Don't leave us now Gerald! It's just about to get very interesting now you are there for good and Phet is on her way! you would not leave Spain because of a few annoying mosquitos would you? So why leave this site and the friends you have made because of the "human" equivalent!

Mac said:
Thursday, July 4, 2013 @ 5:11 PM

Gerald don't let a couple of stupid comments stop you from blogging, remember these blogs are open to the whole internet so that means the whole world and there are a lot of pricks in this world so don't be surprised if one pops in to say hello from time to time. Just ignore them and carry on with your business. As patricia says blogs are for commenting not attacking. You clearly have a readership so you must be doing something right. I follow your blog and enjoy it so please don't take too long to post another chapter.

Gerald said:
Thursday, July 4, 2013 @ 11:07 PM

Thank you Bruca & Marc I am still considering whether to continue but your support is uplifting. But may possibly leave it a short time even if I do continue.
There have though, been interesting events & developments this week.

Devil's Advocate said:
Saturday, July 6, 2013 @ 11:26 AM

I was laying in the sun randomly looking at EOS, when I happened upon this particular blog. I don't usually comment but feel I have to dip my toe in the water on this one.
From reading this particular blog, I saw that Allan mentioned the manana syndrome and being disorganised. In my opinion, it was pretty innocuous and although aimed at Gerald was not a personal attack. The reply, "Idiot Francis" was personal and was an attack.
The reply from Allan was again, measured but the replies to him were quite heavy handed and highly personal. The pro Gerald camp leapt to his defence with equally strong comments, whilst the pro Allan camp remained restrained.

Nobody likes criticism but if one publishes something, then the possibility of a comment is always there. Remember, you can't please all of the people all of the time.

Also, trolls driving, would they get insurance?

Gerald said:
Saturday, July 6, 2013 @ 1:09 PM

Goodbye everyone will not write again

Bruca said:
Saturday, July 6, 2013 @ 5:43 PM

You are not getting off that lightly! i want an e mail address at least! Don't dwell it is their problem not yours! any way having awful problems running this site at the moment as it keeps trying to run a script! He who knows all about computers tells me it is not me. probably some one dodgy! The joy(?) of the 21st century.

Patricia (Campana) said:
Saturday, July 6, 2013 @ 7:59 PM

Devil's Advocate:

This is what the A.F. said three blogs back:

"Well if youre so bright, how come you go public on your lastest blog re your stupidity regarding your car documents and NIE?
"
And other comments to that effect.

Again, that is a personal attack. Why use the words stupid or stupidity? Is it not possible to comment, no matter how robustly, without insulting the other person. Gerald did reply in kind, before I got a chance to get in and tell him to IGNORE!!

Gerald, I hope you will continue blogging. Don't let this individual drive you away.

Best wishes

Allan Francis said:
Sunday, July 7, 2013 @ 6:35 AM

Oh dear! After just writing 2 sentences I get the blame for Gerald having a hissy fit and throwing his toys from the pram. I'm not sure if the blog world will ever recover from this hammer blow. Adios!

Lin said:
Sunday, July 7, 2013 @ 8:15 PM

Hi Allan I'm looking forward to reading and commenting on your blog!
Are you even in Spain!

Gerald's blog is an honest account of how he is finding his way around, both the area and all the bureaurocracy of Spain. His experiences are interesting, funny and helpful. He has made several friends from the EOS site and has met up with some of them swapping ideas and help.

If you live in Spain your time would be better used by offering advice to people like Gerald & myself and a lot of the others on here rather than criticising because we are not fully aware of the Spanish infrastructure.

I like to read the blogs on here, as you obviously do as well, and read the comments left by others, even if you don't always agree with them.
However I think it is rude to make personal remarks about someone or their experiences when you don't even know the person or their character.

It would be a boring world if we were all the same and never made any mistakes in life, I think it's time for you to man up and apologise to Gerald.
Somehow though I don't think you have the essential parts to do that.

Lin 😳

Allan Francis said:
Sunday, July 7, 2013 @ 10:04 PM

Hi Lin
Who rattled your cage by the way?
Obviously you are some schmoozing friend or relative of the said Gerald. Your blind faith in his blogging content kind of gives that away. How much do you actually know about him?However, my slant on these things is that if someone is so cocksure of themselves to think that people really want to know about their dull and mundane existence - then fine. However, they should also accept that the audience is not some robotic entity that simply takes everything in without comment. We know he has moved to another country and has a bride form some far flung Asian? place. Big deal.In my opinion (which I am fully entitled to by the way madam) Gerald is typical of many Brits who come to Spain and havent got a clue. That's fine - it's not a crime - but he should expect comments about his lack of nous bordering on stupidity to be made. That's what happens when one publishes oneself. Gerald is acting like some prima dona regarding 'quitting' his blog. I am not bold or stupid enough to think that anyone is interested in my daily routine - hence me not writing a blog. People who publish should not take comments like mine too seriously - if they do -quit publishing!
For the record, Yes I am in Spain. I speak the language totally fluently and have integrated into this wonderful country and understand the culture better than most Brits who turn up here, usually totally unprepared (many who seem to want it to be Costa Del Essex?Blackpool/Devon). I have seen more dopey 'Geralds' than I could shake a stick at - hence my comments.
Get over it - you small minded people.

Lin said:
Monday, July 8, 2013 @ 11:05 AM

Hi Allan

Thanks for proving me right.

Reading your comments regarding Spain and your appreciation of this beautiful place make me wonder why you want to personally attack people instead of giving them a helping hand. I'm sure that you could put your knowledge and fluent Spanish to better use.

Enough said I'm now bored of this conversation.

Lin 😎

Patricia (Campana) said:
Monday, July 8, 2013 @ 2:51 PM

I just cannot understand rudeness. A.F. it is possible to comment, but why do it in such an unpleasant and aggressive way. (why say to Lin "who rattled your cage" or "small-minded people"). Why are you so angry? When I come upon a blog I dislike or find boring, I just don't read it. For example, and this is just a personal view, I find the blogs purporting to give "news" on here very boring indeed. But that does not mean I would call the blogger stupid or engage in other name-calling.
Everyone has or encounters some problems, and you know, A.F. "se cazan más moscas con miel que con vinagre". Just a thought.
I don't blog, simply because I am so busy with my work, but I have helped over the decades I have lived and worked in Spain, many people (the ones you call dopey) who just needed some help to overcome the pitfalls. Maybe some people are not suited to nor should they live in another country, and I would not argue with you about that. But who are we to say what they should or should not do?

P.

Gerald said:
Tuesday, July 9, 2013 @ 8:41 AM

I said I would write no more but I must thank Lin & Patricia for their noble efforts of trying to protect me from such an objectionable sad person as Francis. People of his ilk however have such thick skins as they simply cannot look inward & view themselves as others see them - spoilers.
This blog was meant to be informative of my personal experiences, good & bad with an amount of humour & to help followers in my footsteps not to be treated to ridicule
For the 4 people who took my part thank you, but obviously not enought for me to continue with this blog. Sorry Bruca I cannot contact you & am loathe to give out my email for obvious reasons.
I will after this message delete Eye on Spain & all traces from my computer & just put it down to a bad experience so replies will be futile.
I am also very disappointed that the EoS have not stepped in but that is their choice & have incidentally become a member of another expat group.

bruca said:
Tuesday, July 9, 2013 @ 5:29 PM

reasons understood. I wish you and Phet well with the future!

Sam said:
Sunday, August 4, 2013 @ 7:27 PM

Hi, If you are still using this blog, I wondered if you have a number or address for the person who helped you get the NIE? I'm in need of help and would be much much appreciated!

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Gerald
Was a retired old fart who still likes to be fairly busy but now at a more sedate pace, as my occupation always ran at 90 mph often working above 55 hours per week. Love to see new country areas & ain't afraid of change. In England was secretary of quite a lot of institutions. But I'd be lost without my laptop & am lost without my Sky television. Gonna be interesting learning Spanish (or trying anyway!). But now taken over by me Luca, superdog!!