02 Feb 2008 12:52 PM:

Does any of this matter to 'real' people?

If you have your health, you can fed your family and you have a roof over your head; then I would suggest that what really matters you have covered! Anything else, interesting, possibly; but how relevant.

Please no monologues from 'The Cleverer Than Thou Brigade' about how the interest rates in the USA and the weather in China will mean no cornflakes for my grandsons breakfast next week!

Thread: The coming worldwide credit crunch

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25 Jan 2008 6:16 PM:

Personally I am happier in Spain! Many of the things you mention San Miguel are common to both if not all countries:

homes being illegal and demolished                                                             - This has happened in the UK where

planning laws have been flouted

- burgularies from new builds/holiday homes                                              - Again not a phenonomon exclusive to Spain or UK

- rip-off developers, lawyers, agents                                                               - Same the world over                            

- 'low cost airlines' not so cheap now                                                             - Same where ever you fly

- car hire companies ripping us off on petrol, excess insurance etc       - Again same every where

- unclear/unfair Bank charges                                                                          - same the world over

The points you mention San Miguel are pretty common the world over, but I am happier in Spain because I feel my family are safer and have a better quality of life. Perhaps if I read in the Spanish newspapers that they are introducing walk through metal detectors in secondary schools to try and battle the knife culture (that seems endemic with UK teens) in Spanish schools as they are in UK schools and perhaps if I start reading in Spanish papers about young teens being murdered, victims of the drug culture as I do on a daily basis in the UK press; then it will be time to take stock and possibly look for somewhere safer; but until then I am very happy in Spain.

Thread: 2nd home in Spain - has the dream been tarnished?

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24 Jan 2008 2:21 PM:

A lot of what I learnt is totally unuseable in polite conversation; but very useful in other erm circumstances! As for the rest of my Spanish; written- terrible, reading- could do better, spoken- can be understood and understands. I make a point of never going out without taking my pocket Eng/Spa dictionary and even when those I speak to have perfect English I ask that they 'indulge me' and perservere with my Spanish.

Thread: What is the best way of learning Spanish at home?

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24 Jan 2008 11:00 AM:

As a single man I felt it would have been rude not to!

Thread: What is the best way of learning Spanish at home?

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24 Jan 2008 10:58 AM:

There is no substitute for dealing with a small privately or family owned agent; in the main you can be assured that they will be there next week and the week after and that they will be accountable.

Thread: Ambasun

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