Puntos de vista - a personal Spain blog

The title of this song by "The Eurythmics" (Annie Lennox and David G Stewart) makes a great title for this latest article about the atrocious weather we are currently experiencing in Spain as a whole.

But here in The Serrania de Ronda where I live, in particular.

[Photo of Annie Lennox courtesy of Reddit]    

In our two decades of living here, my wife Rita and I have experienced a few bouts of bad weather, the worst being in 2018.

Now 2026 is coming close to being as bad.

Severe weather warnings have been announced for several days running - Wednesday yellow, Thursday orange, today no warning, tomorrow forecast yellow again!

[YouTube]    

Our house and land

Our lawn is under water. Excess water from the mountains to the north is flowing through my land and into the neighbour's plot. Structural damage is likely.

 My recently erected metal garden shed  has been blown down and the tools and machinery inside waterlogged.

Trees and/or dead branches are likely to fall. In fact, one pine already has in my neighbour's garden.

Water is likely to enter some premises or rise through the inadequate foundations of the houses here.

Two hotels at the bottom of the hill by the swollen river are under threat of flooding.

In fact, I've just learned that the ground floor of the Hotel Molino del Puente, incorporating the bar, restaurant, library and some rooms, is under water.

The other hotel, the soon to re-open (maybe not, now) Don Miguel (formerly Hotel Don Benito) is furiously pumping water out of its cellar, which lies below ground.

What next?

A period dedicated to insurance claims, loss adjusters, clearing up, chucking out flooded items and repairing damage.

For more on this, click here.

[La Razon]    

Further Link

Eurythmics, Annie Lennox, Dave Stewart - Here Comes the Rain Again (Peacetour Live)

© Pablo de Ronda

Pictures:

La Razon, Paul Whitelock, Reddit

Thanks:

Paul Whitelock, Wikipedia

Tags:

Annie Lennox, clearing up, David G Stewart, Eurythmics, flooded items, insurance claims, loss adjusters, Pablo de Ronda, Paul Whitelock, repairing damage, Serrania de Ronda, 

In the last 12 months "The Olive Press" newspaper has gone from strength to ….. weakness. Have they employed Samson's hairdresser, by any chance?

Time was "The OP" was arguably the best of the English-language freesheets circulating in Southern Spain. "SUR in English" was in a period of circumspection and change following the retirement of founder and editor Liz Parry, BEM; The "EuroWeekly News" continued as, a-hem, "The EWN", showing little journalistic class and embracing the vile and abhorrent Leapy Lea as featured columnist.

    [The Olive Press]                                              [Diario Sur]                   [Facebook]

The local paid-for English papers all went under.

Background

So, how did "The Olive Press" plunge from its pinnacle of having regional editions all over the place including Mallorca and Gibraltar, from launching a German language edition and publishing fortnightly, to the "new improved version"?

From January 2026, "The OP" has a fresh clean design, uses better quality newsprint, has gone national and will only be published monthly.

No sign of the German version in the new grand plan.

[Issuu]    

To this keen observer of the news scene, both paid-for and free-of-charge, in paper format or online, it looks like the re-arranging of the deck-chairs on the RMS Titanic as she headed for the iceberg that was to bring her maiden voyage to a sudden and fatal conclusion.

It gives me little pleasure to write this, as I worked for "The OP" in its early days (2008-2009) and it retains a place in my heart and my personal history. I also like the owner, Jon Clarke.

But I wonder if he is now out-of-his-depth?

He sheds staff as frequently as my cats shed fur in the summer.

His journalists are mostly young and inexperienced and quickly move on to pastures newer and greener. His managers and top journalists haven't stayed long either, moving on to bigger and better things. I'm thinking of Ysabelle Bostyn, Andrew Pierce, Karl Smallman, Paul Whitelock and a number of others.

He also lost key backroom staff when he suddenly moved operations from Arriate near Ronda to the Costa del Sol.

So, am I being harsh?

I welcome the re-design - it's cleaner and sharper. But moving to being a monthly means it's no longer a newspaper, instead it's become a monthly magazine.

How do you keep on top of the news when you only come out once a month? The new "improved" OP will miss three weeks of news every single edition.

    Advance notice of the changes      The new "portada"                               The new Olive Press "monthly magazine" 

    [Above photos by Paul Whitelock]

And, by going national, it will lose one of its former strengths, ie being in touch with and part of the local community.

I hope I'm wrong, but I think I'm probably not!

SUR in English and The EWN must be rubbing their hands with glee.

© Pablo de Ronda

Pictures:

Diario Sur, Facebook, Issuu, Paul Whitelock, The Olive Press, Trip Advisor

Thanks:

Jon Clarke, Luke Stewart, Paul Whitelock, Wikipedia

Tags:

Andrew Pierce, Arriate, Costa del Sol, Diario Sur, "EWN", "EuroWeekly News", Facebook, German language edition, Gibraltar, Issuu, Jon Clarke, Karl Smallman, Leapy Lea, Liz Parry, Luke Stewart, Mallorca, Paul Whitelock, Ronda, RMS Titanic, "SUR in English", The Olive Press, Trip Advisor, Wikipedia, Ysabelle Bostyn

I recently wrote a piece in German for my German blog "Alles auf Deutsch" on the subject of interesting quotes and sayings, advice and jokes which appear on fridge magnets, beermats, diaries and greetings cards - in German.

[Wikipedia]    

I thought it would be fun to write something similar in English featuring gems from my collection that are in English.

So, here goes with my "Baker's Dozen" (13).
 

Advice on life and marriage

This wise poem by Wilferd A Peterson was read at our wedding in Maulbronn Abbey, Germany.

It was a bi-lingual service and the poem was read by my brother Simon.

I had read the same piece at his wedding to Marilyn in 2006.

As an interesting footnote, Hermann Hesse, later the author of "Steppenwolf", the novel (not the rock group!), was a pupil at the boarding school here.

This is very witty, and possibly true.

Look at me and Rita!

I love this one! Scrabble makes you feel a lot younger than you actually are!

Beermats, etc

One of my favourite quotes of all time ..... and oh, so true!

That's why I love "The Simpsons". Creator Matt Groening and his fellow scriptwriters "hit the nail on the head" so often.

    [Pinterest]

This essential tool for beer drinkers, a bottle opener, is also an attractive fridge magnet.

In our house it is stuck to the door of the beer fridge.

Of course ..... where else?

Diaries, greetings and postcards

This heartfelt message was posted on the Whitelock family app on New Year's Eve.

Very early, but why not?

This was the message on the cover of a recipe book which I gave my wife Rita for Christmas.

This is a travel diary I gave myself for Christmas this year. I hope to use it often.

My "bucket list" for 2026 consists mainly of places I want to travel to. These include Budapest (Hungary); Canada; Cuba; Galicia (Spain); possibly New Zealand; Peru; and Poland.

Plus a few places I've been to but Rita has not, eg Barcelona (Spain); Cardiff (Wales); Dublin (Ireland); Paris (France); and Prague (Czech Republic).

I've just added Greenland. I want to visit before it becomes the 51st state of the USA!
 

Fridge magnets

I am European. The day in 2016 when the British electorate voted for Brexit was one of the worst days of my life.

And now we've all seen what a disaster that turned out to be under the Tories.

At least UK prime minister, Sir Keir Starmer, has taken us closer to the European Union since he came to power.

Let's hope we rejoin at some point.

A hot dog from time to time is a good thing. Not healthy, but comfort food, especially with a tasty sauce like HP or barbecued tomato.

I had a vegan sausage hot dog today, for a change. It was very tasty, but the consistency was odd.

Freshly ground coffee is a must. After my two early morning cups of English Breakfast tea, it's coffee time at Villa Indiana.

We grind our own beans, espresso, and perk them in our rather splendid "De Longhi" cafetera.

Here are two fridge magnets in Spanish that I like. From the local China shop, I think.

"The best grandparents in the world".

I like being a grandad: I have eight grandkids: four English grandsons; and three grand-daughters and a grandson on the German side of the family. The oldest, Anton, is 20; the youngest, Buckley, is two.

I don't hate everyone! Just a couple of people who owe me a lot of money. B*****ds!

Both Brits, a Scouser and a Yorkshireman.

I have a plan to get my money back!

This Spanish iman took my fancy also.

"Indulge a whim, you deserve it!"

Although chocolate spread and an apple are hardly whims, as far as I'm concerned!

Postscript:

I came across these plants in LIDL yesterday.

I couldn't resist the slogans on the pots, so I bought them!

    [Pablo de Ronda]    

Links

“FRIDGE OVER TROUBLED WATER”

"Signs of the Times" - Deutsche Version

© Pablo de Ronda

Pictures:

All photos by Paul Whitelock, except the German flag (Wikipedia) and Homer Simpson (Pinterest).

Thanks:

Paul Whitelock, Wikipedia

Tags:

51st state of the USA, advice, "Alles auf Deutsch", author of "Steppenwolf", "Baker's Dozen", barbecued tomato, Barcelona, beer drinker, beer fridge, beermat, bi-lingual service,  bottle opener, Brexit, brother Simon, "bucket list" for 2026, Budapest, cafetera, Canada, Cardiff, China shop, coffee time, collection, comfort food, Cuba, "De Longhi", diaries, Dublin, English Breakfast tea, espresso, European, European Union, freshly ground coffee, fridge magnet, “FRIDGE OVER TROUBLED WATER”, Galicia, German flag, Germany, Greenland, greetings card, Hermann Hesse, Homer Simpson, hot dog, HP, iman, joke, Matt Groening, New Zealand,  Paris, Paul Whitelock, Peru, Pinterest, Poland, Prague, quotes, sayings, Scouser, Scrabble, "Signs of the Times" - Deutsche Version, Sir Keir Starmer, "The best grandparents in the world", "The Simpsons", travel diary, UK prime minister, vegan, Villa Indiana, wedding in Maulbronn Abbey, whim, Wikipedia, Wilferd A Peterson, Yorkshireman, 

What's going on? Everybody's retiring! They may not be leavin' on Peter, Paul and Mary's jet plane*, but they're off!

Since the turn of the year we learn that Peter Jones, the birdman, is hanging up his binoculars; Karl Smallman, doyen of photographic journalism and website building is stepping down; and Paul Whitelock, "Jack of all trades", are all "hanging up their boots".

Peter, Paul and Mary [Wikipedia]    

* see link below

Peter Jones (b. ca. 1949)

Peter has been part of the lives of birdwatchers in the Serrania de Ronda for a quarter of a century.

He has been a columnist for SUR in English, throughout that time.

I know Peter. I can't remember how we came across each other, as I am not a "twitcher", but we've met a few times. He's a near neighbour, so maybe that's it. He's a very nice man.

    Peter Jones (Facebook)

Peter has reached retirement age and has announced that he will retire finally in a year's time, when he and his wife Brenda will move on to pastures new.

Peter writes: "It breaks my heart to now be forced to look far beyond my mountains for a new abode to while away the twilight years. It is a daunting prospect and not a path I could have foreseen or chosen. Where and what will 2026 bring?"

Karl Smallman (b. ca. 1958)

A photo-journalist by training, he brought his skills to the Serrania de Ronda some 30 years ago. He has worked independently, but also for The Olive Press, The EuroWeekly News and SUR in English, where he was assistant editor, when he announced his retirement.

    Karl Smallman [Diario Sur]

Karl has reached retirement age and has decided to step away from his somewhat hectic lifestyle, but I bet he'll still have an important contribution to make to life in the Serrania de Ronda, through his photography and his website www.secretserrania.com.

I first met Karl in a furniture shop in Ronda some 20 years ago, together with his lovely wife Jill.

A few years later, after leaving my stint at The Olive Press in 2010, I worked with Karl on a website called Secret Andalucia, now defunct.

When I contacted Karl in 2015 and offered to contribute articles to his newly developed website Secret Serrania de Ronda, Karl knew what I was capable of and he was delighted to take me on board.

We meet frequently, both at local events, and also as members of the Club de Prensa de la Costa del Sol (Costa Press Club).

Paul Whitelock (b. 1950)

Paul retired early, aged 55, from his career in education in 2005 and emigrated to Spain in 2008.

He had already started writing and had had articles published in The Guardian, North Wales Living, Olive Country Life (Alcala), and, since he moved to Andalucia, The EuroWeekly News, SUR in English, El Hacho Magazine and the website Eye on Spain.

When he first landed in the Serrania de Ronda, he worked for a year at The Olive Press, but now prefers to concentrate on his own website www.help-me-ronda.com and the afore-mentioned www.eyeonspain.com.

    Paul Whitelock [Secret Serrania]

The problem is Paul was also translating, renovating houses, selling houses, gardening and socialising . Now he's seen the light and has decided to retire - ha! ha!

He still interprets and translates, hardly physically demanding, gardens on his own terms, and will still socialise.

But, absolutely no more house reforms, holiday rentals and getting "ripped off" by people who don't pay up!

Links

Leaving, On a Jet Plane ("Greatest Hits" Version)

"Leaving on a Jet Plane" (Peter, Paul and Mary/John Denver) - Classic Song of the Day

Rogues Gallery – the name and shame blog

www.eyeonspain.com

www.help-me-ronda.com

www.secretserrania.com

www.theolivepress.es

© Pablo de Ronda

Pictures:

Diario Sur, Paul Whitelock, Peter Jones, Secret Serrania, Wikipedia

Thanks:

Karl Smallman, Pablo de Ronda, Paul Whitelock, Peter Jones, 

Tags:

Club de Prensa de la Costa del Sol, Costa Press Club, El Hacho Magazine, EWN, EuroWeekly News, Eye on Spain, North Wales Living, Olive Country Life, Karl Smallman, Pablo de Ronda, Paul Whitelock, Peter Jones, Rogues' Gallery, Secret Serrania, Serrania de Ronda, SUR in English, The Guardian, The Olive Press, Wikipedia, www.eyeonspain.com, www.help-me-ronda.com, www.secretserrania.com, www.theolivepress.es

We normally spend Christmas in Germany, but this year, we shall be staying at home in Spain. I was "home alone" last Christmas - "de Rodriguez" - in order to look after our newly acquired baby kitten, Paulinchen, but it's more usual for us to be in the frozen and snowy north.

    [deutschland.de]

So, how's it looking?

We had our first Christmas Party of 2025 on December 10th at Restaurante Manovra in Cala de Mijas on the Costa del Sol. It was  the annual get-together of the Club de Prensa de la Costa del Sol (Costa Press Club) of which I am a member.

We enjoyed a "Secret Santa" and a "Christmas Quiz", as well as great "bantz" (banter) and delicious food.

[photo courtesy of www.help-me-ronda.com]    

On Christmas Day (Dia de Navidad) we  have booked for lunch  at "Frank's", better known as El Muelle de Arriate.

Consistently in Trip Advisor's top three restaurants in the area, this has been one of our favourite places to eat over the years (18 and counting .....).

[Photo: Karl Smallman, Secret Serrania]    

A three-course meal with wine included at 68 euros per person is not cheap, but we know it will be good value. Dutchman Frank Röttgering knows what he's doing. He has mastered the "trick" of appealing to a foreign clientele, as well as to well-heeled Spaniards (Frank is somewhat of a polyglot, speaking English, French, German, Spanish and, of course, his native Dutch).

On December 27th we have been invited to what we British would call a "house-warming party" (Sp: fiesta de inauguracion de la casa; Ger: Einweihungsparty) in Montejaque, where we both have good connections (we lived there together for three years and own two village houses in the Old Part of the village).

The hosts of the party are Kryszta from Hungary and Karl, a German, who recently bought a house two doors down from Rita's.

[Image by THE FIRE WIRE]    

The pair have already visited us at our home in Ronda for Kaffee mit Kuchen and I've been helping them with translation and administrative and other matters.

On New Year's Eve (Noche Vieja) we have booked for a menu de degustacion (tasting menu) at Restaurante La Cascada at the Hotel Molino del Puente, Ronda.

At 100 euros per head that's expensive, but, hey! It's fiesta time!

We are regular diners here and know the quality of their food.

Ian and Elaine, the owners, take care of "front of house" and son-in-law Tom is the chef. It all runs like clock-work.

The advantage for us, is that we live 50 metres away, so no parking charges and no risk of being breathalysed!

[Turismo de Ronda]    

Other activities

We may also eat at Las Maravillas, Miyagi Express, or Sensur (all Ronda), places we know and love.

We also want to try out Ronda's only Indian Restaurant, the recently opened Bombay Spice.

    [Facebook]

If it re-opens in time, the under-new-management Ronda Valley Hotel, would also be on our list.

There are also theatre options, concerts, art exhibitions, Christmas markets and, weather permitting, street parades.

Plus pantomime, zambomba, films and much, much more.

[Portal Tematico de la Serrania de Ronda]    

Interesting links

Bars and Restaurants at or near railway stations in the Serrania de Ronda - Help me, Ronda

Christmas in Spain

Christmas Parties in Spain 2024

Christmas Tour of Deutschland Part 1 - From Malaga to Hamburg, Uetersen and Dresden

Christmas Tour of Deutschland Part 2 – Dresden I

"DINNER FOR ONE" - Ein Silvesterphänomen

Foreign Journalists Celebrate their Christmas Party

Something old, something new ...

© Pablo de Ronda

Pictures:

deutschland.de, Facebook, Karl Smallman, Portal Tematico de la Serrania de Ronda, Secret Serrania, THE FIRE  WIRE, Turismo de  Ronda

Restaurants:

Bombay Spice, Ronda    (5) Bombay Spice | Facebook

El Muelle de Arriate, Arriate    El Muelle de Arriate – Restaurant

La Cascada, Fuente de La Higuera, Ronda    Menú del restaurante: Restaurante La Cascada en Hotel de Ronda HMDP

Las Maravillas, Ronda    Restaurante Las Maravillas, en Ronda

Miyagi Express, Ronda    El mejor sushi de Ronda, al mejor precio

Restaurante Manovra, Cala de Mijas    (5) Facebook

Ronda Valley Hotel, Fuente de La Higuera, Ronda    HOTEL RONDA VALLEY: opiniones, comparación de precios 2025

Sensur, Ronda    Una experiencia gastronómica en el corazón de Ronda - SENSUR GASTROBAR

Thanks:

Karl Smallman, Paul Whitelock, Secret Serrania, Wikipedia, www.help-me-ronda.com

Tags:

AfD, art exhibitions, Bombay Spice, Cala de Mijas, Christmas Day, Christmas markets, "Christmas Quiz", Club de Prensa de la Costa del Sol, concerts, Costa Press Club, "de Rodriguez", Dia de Navidad, "Dinner for One", Dresden, Einweihungsparty, El Muelle de Arriate, fiesta de inauguracion de la casa, films, Frank Röttgering, Frank's, "home alone", Hotel Molino del Puente, "house-warming party", Hungary, Indian Restaurant, Kaffee mit Kuchen, Karl, Karl Smallman, Kryszta, La Cascada, Las Maravillas, menu de degustacion, Miyagi Express, Montejaque, New Year's Eve, Noche Vieja, pantomime, Paulinchen, Ronda, Portal Tematico de la Serrania de Ronda, "Secret Santa", Secret Serrania, Sensur, street parades, tasting menu, theatre, THE FIRE  WIRE, Turismo de  Ronda, Wikipedia, zambomba,

I was on the coast in Cala de Mijas and picked up a copy of the EWN, the free paper that never gets up to Ronda, where I live.

No great loss, as it was always a terrible paper, with few journalistic aspirations or intentions.

[EWN]    
 

The owners, the Eusdens, are business people, not Press folk, and the vitriolic, racist, sexist and foul-mouthed Leapy Lea, failed English pop singer, acquired a 'gig' as a regular columnist.

But .....

I was pleasantly surprised with this latest edition, published today!

Gone are the poorly written, badly researched, sensationalist news stories of old.

And Leapy Lea was reasonable and measured! I nearly fell off my chair!

Do you think he's had 'his collar felt' by 'The Old Bill'?

I'd heard on the grapevine that if Lea were to return to the UK he would be arrested for expressing in writing his extreme right wing views.

Leapy Lea nowadays [Amazon]    

Good to see these changes for the better ..... but, will they last?!

© Paul Whitelock

Photos:

Amazon, EWN, Euro Weekly News,  

Thanks:

Costa Press Club, Euro Weekly News, Wikipedia

Tags:

Cala de Mijas, columnist, Eusden, EWN, failed English pop singer, free paper, Leapy Lea, Ronda, 'The Old Bill', 

The Club de Prensa de la Costa del Sol (Costa Press Club) celebrated its Christmas Party last night, 10th December.

This group of  foreign journalists and media people, who are based in the wider Malaga, Marbella, Mijas and San Pedro de Alcantara area, got together at Restaurante Manovra in Cala de Mijas, number 2 out of 123 restaurants in the area according to Trip Advisor, to relax and celebrate Christmas.

Restaurante Manovra [Ayuntamiento de Mijas]    

'Secret Santa' popped in, and there was a 'Christmas Quiz'.

How'd it  go?

The mood was festive, relaxed and fun. There was nothing serious that had anything to do with media and journalism.

After a pre-dinner drink (included in the price), during which members and their guests caught up with old acquaintances and friends, and new people, mainly guests of members, were introduced, we sat down for our three-course Christmas Meal.

I went traditional with soup, Christmas roast and Christmas pudding, while my guest, my wife, opted to avoid the roast and went for fish - Rita is German and not a fan of English roasts.

We were sitting opposite Sara, from Australia, and her guest Emma, who bore an uncanny resemblance to a former girlfriend of mine. Emma is English, but has lived in Spain for 28 years!

[Trip Advisor]    

Sara is a member of the CPC and is a journalist. She lives in Alhaurin El Grande.

Emma was for many years an estate agent on the coast and is now considering her options away from the cut-throat world of real estate.

Also nearby were Andrew, English, and a long-time amigo mio, and Joanne, also English, who has lived in southern Spain for donkey's years and is married to a Spaniard. She organised the evening.

Two Spanish "guests" were also within earshot. It turns out that they are the children of another long-standing CPC member, Joan Fallon, a celebrated author originally from Scotland. So Roberto and Maria are, of course, bi-lingual.

At the other end of the table was another newcomer/guest called Lily. She was born in Spain of English parents who had emigrated to Spain in search of a better life. She attended secondary school in England and went to university there. She is also bi-lingual.

Joan Fallon [Facebook]    

My wife observed that of the 33 people dining, only five were men, four active members and a guest.

Nationalities represented last night were, in alphabetical order, Australian, English, German, Scottish, Spanish and Welsh, although the membership also includes people from Argentina, Denmark, France, the Netherlands and New Zealand, who all live in Spain full-time.

Everyone speaks Spanish to a greater or lesser extent.

Five of us have degrees in Spanish: committee member Jennie Rhodes (Durham); retired president and former editor of SUR in English Liz Parry BEM (Birmingham); current president Neil Hesketh (Manchester); editor of SUR in English Rachel Haynes (Newcastle)  and I, retired member and blogger Paul Whitelock (Salford). In addition, current trainee Enya Soares is an undergraduate at Bath.

    Liz Parry BEM [Central Bylines]

Lots of photos were taken, officially by Gary Edwards, a professional photographer member, and by others present, including myself.

More photos of the actual evening, from Gary, me and others, are still to come.

We shall add them in the next few days.

    Gary Edwards [Costa Press Club]

Photos: 

Ayuntamiento de Mijas, Central Bylines, Costa Press Club, Facebook, Gary Edwards, Paul Whitelock

©  Paul Whitelock

Links:

Magnificent, under-rated Málaga

Mini-break in Malaga

Thanks:

Costa Press Club, Facebook, Gary Edwards, LinkedIn, Paul Whitelock

Tags:

Ayuntamiento de Mijas, Central Bylines, Costa Press Club, Enya Soares, Facebook, Gary Edwards, Jennie Rhodes, LinkedIn, Liz Parry BEM, Neil Hesketh, Paul Whitelock, Rachel Haynes, SUR in English 

There are a number of health warnings in Spain for the coming winter: influenza, Avian flu, African swine fever, Tetanus, and of course, Coronavirus is still a threat.

There are 3,000 new cases of AIDS diagnosed each year in Spain.

Plus freezing temperatures.

[CPWR]    

This is all dangerous, particularly for older people. Which is what I am, according to my birth certificate, even though I feel much younger.

Action Plan

The fifth Covid-19 injection is now available for over 70-year-olds.

They don't contact you any longer, you have to ring your local health centre or ambulatorio to make an appointment.

I shall be doing that tomorrow.

[EL PAIS]    

You also get a 'flu jab and a tetanus top-up at the same time. So three pricks in two arms!

Your upper arms are sore for two or three days and you might have a slight attack of Covid, but, in my opinion, it's better to be protected.

I don't have AIDS nor African swine fever. Touch wood!

Elsewhere

Some members of the German side of my family are refuseniks when it comes to Coronavirus injections and only get top-up Covid jabs if they really have to, for example to get into a restaurant or to book into a hotel.

I think they're nuts, but that's their choice, I guess.

So long as they don't infect me or the missus!

[BBC]    

Here in Spain

The authorities are predicting more deaths this winter, because of the predicted cold. Two regions have re-introduced the compulsory wearing of masks, and others, like Andalucia, are recommending their use in medical settings, including pharmacies.

Most houses here are not well built. Cavity walls? "Forget it!" Insulation? "Ha-ha-ha!"

A professional friend of mine, a neighbour, has no heating whatsoever in her finca. She just wraps up warm!

She does at least have a traditional brasera under her dining table!

I've offered to act as a human hot water bottle for her, but up to now she's not accepted!

What a shame! She's pretty, very "sexy", single, a good 10 years younger than me and Spanish to boot!

[Wikipedia]    

Last word

These winter threats need to be taken seriously. I mean it!

© Pablo de Ronda

Links:

5 years of Covid-19 - The last post

Covid-19 is a thing of the past – or is it?

Is the Covid Crisis Over?

Pictures:

BBC, CPWR, EL PAIS, Wikipedia

Acknowledgements:

Diario Sur, Pablo de Ronda, Sur in English, TIME, Wikipedia 

Tags:

AIDS, African swine fever, Avian flu, BBC, CPWR, Coronavirus injection, Diario Sur, EL PAIS, freezing temperatures, health centre, health warning, human hot water bottle, influenza, masks, medical settings, Pablo de Ronda, pharmacies, Sur in English, Tetanus, TIME, top-up Covid jab, Wikipedia

The worst kept secret around these parts is that the Ronda Valley Hotel (formerly Hotel Don Benito) is to close its doors on 15th January 2026. WTF! Why?

This hotel is my nearest local, so from a selfish point of view, I think it's a disaster.

Talking with other "guiris" who live nearby, it's a catastrophe for them also.

Ronda Valley Hotel [Photo: A1 Inmobiliaria]    

The local folk, almost all andaluces, mostly involved with agriculture - olives, grapes, hortalizas of all kinds - or livestock farmers - sheep, goats, pigs and cattle - this is where they come to chill out after work and quench their raging thirsts.

Backstory

I've lived around here for 17 years and I've experienced a number of different "owners" and at least three name changes to the hotel in question.

For many years it was Hotel Don Benito, then La Posada de Ronda and latterly Ronda Valley Hotel.

The owner was Pedro, but he died a couple of years ago. His only heir is a daughter who has no interest in running a hotel, just like her dad. Pedro always leased the hotel to others to run.

I can remember Manolo from Ronda; a German couple from, well, Germany; Luis from Arriate; and Sergio and Manuel from Lisbon, Portugal.

Mural in the refurbished bar [Andalucia.org]    

The most successful have been the Portuguese, even though they never come, leaving the hotel in the hands of a manager.

So, what's going on?

You hear lots of stories but are they true?

Final Musings

So, we have another two months before the place closes.

I really don't get it. This hotel has so much potential.

Easy to get to, also for passing motorists; massive free car park; bar; restaurant; function room; large outside terrace; 20 rooms; extensive grounds with tennis court, padel court and swimming pool; barbecue area.

The large terrace [Atrapalo]    

If I were three decades younger; had a background in hospitality; and had the money, I would be first in the queue to buy it.

Talking it over with two local estate agents, one estimated that the purchase price would be around 1.2 million euros; the other 1.8 million. Quite a difference! The latter estimate was because of the potential of the hotel and grounds.

My big idea is that they need to hold live music events on the terrace or in the function room. A guaranteed money-spinner if done properly. There is already a strong tradition of live music in the Serrania de Ronda, eg at the Irish Bar in Ronda; Allioli Bar y Mas in Jimera de Libar; and Bar Restaurante EntreAscuas in Montejaque.

[Allioli bar y mas]    

Another good idea would be tapas at the bar.

Changing the horario of the restaurant would be a smart move: 7.00 - 10.30 would be welcomed by the very many hotel guests from Northern Europe, USA and Canada.

And also by some of the locals.

[Sign by Mar y Ram]    

The bedrooms need a makeover. They are a bit dated, basic and shabby. Once the renovation is  completed the hotel could "up" its prices. 30 € a night for a double room off-season is way too cheap.

Let's hope somebody comes along and buys the hotel and fulfils its potential.

Otherwise, we locals will have to either give up drinking or travel further afield.

Arrgh!

STOP PRESS:

This evening, Tuesday December 2nd, the hotel was shut and displaying a "closed for holidays" sign.

The Ronda Valley is always open - it's a proper hotel, which always has guests who need to eat and have a drink.

The bar is a public one, open to the many locals who enjoy a few drinks before going home for dinner and also to passing trade.

[Adobe Stock]    

So, why has it shut? It seems a bit fishy to me.

© Pablo de Ronda

Links:

Another - new – Ronda Valley

The other "Ronda valley"

Pictures:

A1 Inmobiliaria, Adobe Stock, Allioli Bar y Mas, Andalucia.org, Atrapalo, Mar y Ram  

Thanks:

A1 Inmobiliaria, Eye on Spain, LoveViviendas, Pablo de Ronda, Paul Whitelock, Sierra Estates

Tags:

A1 Inmobiliaria, Adobe Stock, Allioli Bar y Mas, Andalucia.org, Atrapalo, Bar Restaurante EntreAscuas, Eye on Spain, Hotel Don Benito, Irish Bar in Ronda, Jimera de Libar, La Posada de Ronda, LoveViviendas, Luis from Arriate, Manolo from Ronda, Mar y Ram, Montejaque, Pablo de Ronda, Paul Whitelock, Portugal, Ronda Valley Hotel, Sergio and Manuel from Lisbon, Serrania de Ronda, Sierra Estates

Spanish surnames (apellidos - they have two, one from their father and another from their mother) can be classified into four main types.

Knowing about the past allows us to learn a bit more about ourselves, where our culture comes from, what our history is, what our families were like.

[Image courtesy of Wikipedia]    

All this has been concentrated into our surnames, a thread which tells us about our past.

In an article for AS, the Spanish sports daily, journalist Marta Tejedor talks readers through the four categories.

***

    [AS]

I've edited Marta's article and translated it into English.

The original edited article in Spanish is here:

Spanish surnames - apellidos

***

Spanish surnames are divided into four types: find out which type your surname belongs to

By Marta Tejedor

2 minutes read

According to the newspaper OK Diario, experts have created four main types of Spanish surnames into which they can be classified.

Depending on the category they belong to, the surname in question can provide certain information about its origin.

[ElPlural.com]    

Among these categories are patronymic surnames, toponymic surnames, surnames derived from common names, and surnames derived from trades or professions.

Which type of surname does yours belong to?

Patronyms

This type of surname indicates the name of the father or ancestor from whom it originates.

They are very common in Spain and in some Spanish-speaking countries.

Among them, some stand out, such as Pérez, which means “son of Pedro”; Sánchez, “son of Sancho”; or Fernández, “son of Fernando.”

    [Facebook]    

This type of surname usually ends in -ez, -az, -iz, -oz, -uz.

Toponyms

This category includes all surnames whose meaning indicates the place of origin or residence of the bearer or their ancestors, according to YouTube.

Interestingly, some examples of these surnames are Torres, Castellano, or Castillo, all of them originating from Castilla. Other examples are Navarro and Navarrete, both originating from Navarra.

 

    [Slideshare]

Derived from common names

Very similar to patronyms, this category of surnames is based on some physical, moral, or religious trait of the bearer or their ancestors.

The surname Rubio is a clear example of how a physical trait of an ancestor has been passed down to their descendants. Other examples, like Bravo, originated from a brave act or from people considered courageous. Cruz, for example, can mean 'executed' or 'devoted to the cross.'

    [Euribor hoy]

Derived from trades or professions

In this category are all surnames whose meaning relates to the occupational or social activity of the bearer or their ancestors.

Some examples are Tejedor, Pastor, Herrera, or Molina, the latter coming from the work of a miller.

    [Letra 15]

But there are not just these four types: there are also surnames that come from nicknames based on the bearer’s nickname, such as in the cases of Largo or Gordo.

    Largo [Cartoon courtesy of Dreamstime]                 Gordo [Cartoon courtesy of Freepik]

***

Note: A similar article was published in Spanish here:

Spanish surnames - apellidos

©  Paul Whitelock

Images:

AS, Dreamstime, ElPlural.com, Euribo hoy, Facebook, Freepik, Letra 15, Slideshare, Wikipedia, YouTube,

Acknowledgements:

Don Pablo, Paul Whitelock, Wikipedia

Tags:

apellido, Castellano, Castilla, Castillo, “cruzado”, Bravo, Cruz, Delgado, “devoto de la cruz”, English, Fernández, Gordo, Herrera, “hijo de Fernando”, “hijo de Pedro”, “hijo de Sancho”, Largo, Marta Tejedor, Molina, molinero, Navarra, Navarrete, Navarro, OK Diario, Pastor, Pérez, Rubio, Sánchez, Spanish, "Spanish Matters", surname, Tejedor, Torres,