Hi All

Just back from an eventful trip. Met lots of old and new faces which was nice.  Phase 3 seems to be coming on well. If they really pushed it, I think they could be done by the August holidays, but with most things I have experienced in Spain, I don't expect them to break too much sweat. The weather is not too hot at the moment. I would probably estimate around October time looking at the current condition. Would just like to thank Gordon, the builder for all his help on the jobs we done together whilst there. It's the first time I have used his services, and being a builder myself, I have to say his standard of work is excellent.

On a few negative notes, when you are out, keep an eye on your drink. I dropped my mum and two friends into Fuengirola, and half an hour later, I had to go and collect them, as my mum's drink had been spiked. God knows why, she's not 21. One of my neighbours, Chris helped out when we got to Don Juan. We had to call out a family friend who was a retired doctor. She was fine next morning though.

Another incident, one morning, a guy in Block 9 was sweeping his terrace. He then went to get a dustpan and brush, picked up the rubbish and tipped it over the balcony onto the grass area below at semi sotano level. I don't know if this guy was renting, the owner or a cleaner, but his behaviour was disgusting.  He actually done it twice. This was witnessed by 2 other people as well. This is even more a reason now to have signs in the lifts, like my earlier English and Spanish translation regarding the cigarette butts being thrown over the balconies, or in this lazy bast8rds case, rubbish and dirt. He was in the righthand corner apartment facing the terraces / baconies. I think it was the one just below attico or 2 below attico level in Block 9. People like this should be fined for their behaviour. Have they no respect.

It looks like work has started on the new road at the back of Don Juan by Phase 1, Block 1, going down to the main road, N 340. Part of the current road has been cut out, but who knows, this could be just for drainage pipes. As usual rumours continue on. Renfe seem now to have washed their hands of the road by the railway line, Carol 12 is apparently living in block 3, and the meeting will be a quiet social affair :-)  Can anyone confirm any of these rumours ?

Overall Don Juan is still quiet even though Phase 2 has been handed over, and the work ongoing in phase 3.

Can anyone video the meeting. I would buy a copy. Maybe Sky tv will buy the rights. Here's hoping.

Westport

Hey Westport,

About the rumours: ADIF never has been interested in the road next to the traintrack. I can't understand why, because one would think that they would also benefit from a station that is easier to reach. I just know that both the former and the current comittee are trying hard to put as much pressure on them as possible. On the informal meeting with the comittee and some neighbours a while ago I have suggested to join forces with the development next to us "El Higueron" because they also suffer from the bad road and they promised to look into it. Some neighbours have been in touch with the Spanish ombudsman who also think he can help to put pressure if our comittee asks him to, and this information has also been passed on to the comittee on that same meeting.

I am personally quite pissed off about the back road. The big hole there in the road has been dug by Gestagua, I don't know for what reasons, but it has left us without any decent road out of the development for a few months now. We drive a 4WD so it's not too big a bother for us, but for anybody with a regular car it is a pain now to drive out of the development either way.

Glad to hear your mother is fine. We were a bit worried about her when we met you with her going up and considered going back to give you the telephone number of our GP, good thing you called in a doctor! I have heard before from friends of mine who got their drinks spiked, but they were around 21. Can't understand why somebody would have wanted to do that to your mother.

Saskia

Hi westport just to upset you even more i will not tell you my water bill HA HA bye irene/peter

Hi Irene

It's not the water consumption I am refering to, it's the standing charge. We, as Phase 1, are paying 208 lots of standing charges. Can we not pay one standing charge for the whole of phase 1 at a cheaper rate, or does the water usage have to be included as a package. Has anyone worked out if it is possible, and if it is cheaper. Maybe I do use more water than you, I don't know. I do remember when I first met you, you said I smelt nice :-)

Westport

Hi Irene

The best thing to do is send it back to the DVLA and request one with a photo on it. This is useful when you are using credit or debit card in Spain as this can be used instead of a passport to confirm your identity. Can anyone tell me where the Hotel is where the meeting is being held.

See you on Saturday,

Best wishes

Jo

Irene

To drive a hire car no - if you own a vehicle you should carry an international licence.

Is there anyone on EOS who lives in Phase 2 block 5? If so I'd love to hear from you.

Irene maybe this article can spread some light on your question about dirving licence.

Article from Sur in English issue February 27th to March 5th 2009

Legal Affairs ALEXANDRA CHIZHOVA

Should I change my UK driving licence?

QUESTION

I recently moved to the Cos­ta del Sol from Great Britain. I often rent a car and use my British driving licence. How­ever, I'm planning to buy my own car. Could you please advise if I need to obtain a Spanish driving licence or I can use my old one.

ANSWER

All valid EU driving licences are valid in Spain provided that the licence holder is 18 years or older (18 being the minimum driving age in Spain). If you are a non-resi­dent of Spain and driving your own vehicle with nor­mal Spanish registration plates, you must have one of the following documents in addition to your British dri­ving licence:

- an international driving permit (IDP);

- an official translation of your driving licence, which can be obtained from a Span­ish consulate in Great Britain;

- a certificate of equivalence (Certificado de equivalencia) issued by the Spanish Royal Automobile Club (RACE).

If you become resident in Spain although your driving licence will still be valid, you are entitled to exchange it for a Spanish one. Foreign dri­vers with EU driving licences need to register with the traf­fic authorities within six months of moving to Spain. Details must be submitted to the Central Register of Dri­vers and Minor Offenders (Registro Central de Conductores e Infractores) of the' Provincial Traffic Head­quarters of their place of res­idence. Once registered; for­eign drivers need to undergo a medical examination to show mental and physical fit­ness and the standards that apply to Spanish drivers will also apply to them. Please note, however, that the above

rule is not always known or recognized by the local police; and there have been cases of EU nationals driving Spanish-registered vehicles and being fined for not hav­ing a Spanish _.licence. Also, in the event of a driving infraction the Spanish authorities may require the holder of a licence from an EU country to obtain a new Spanish licence. For this rea­son, many people find it is simpler to exchange their for­eign licence for a Spanish one.

In order to exchange an EU driving licence for a Spanish licence you should complete an application form at the Provincial Traffic Head­quarters in your-area. It usu­ally takes between one and three months to obtain a Spanish licence.

• MORE INFORMA7IWL Landwell Tax and Legal Advisers. PricewaterhouseCoopers Edificio Teatinos Plaza, Calle Pirandello 16, 29010 Malaga

Hi wilander thanks for your reply i have no time left to get the driving permit to hire a car thanks irene

 I have checked this with a gestor here in Spain and as long as you have the photo card EU driving license you do not need anything else. Irene you should be fine with the old license to hire a car or else the hire company would not have given you the car the last time you were here but as stated below it could be worthwhile in future to get this change to the new photo card license as it useful to show as ID when purchasing goods by card.

David

When you find someone who lives in Phase2 Block5, I would like to hear from them also.

Willie

Hi willie i hope you are 3 in line after me bye irene

Hi, everyone,

I know its on website somewhere, but does anyone have  detailed idiots guide info, how to get from Malaga airport to Don Juan, would be most grateful. Thanks Donna