Spanish Practices

In this episode I am talking about Christmas. I'm going to look at British Christmas versus Spanish Christmas, and then zoom out to see where Spain quietly shares traditions with the rest of the world… often in surprising ways. So pop the kettle on, pour a glass of Spanish sherry — depending on which country you emotionally identify with today — and let's dive in.    

In this short episode  a clear, realistic, non-salesy view of where the smart money is going in Spain in 2025–2030—and whether property is still the best bet. I am not a Financial Expert, do not take this episode as any kind of financial advice.  I have collated together trends and data from financial institutions, banks and financial companies.  

Spain's GDP grew by 3.5% in 2024 and is forecasted to grow by 2.9% in 2025.  The growth is being driven by strong domestic demand, particularly household consumption and investment, which is outpacing the euro area. Is this the time to invest in Spain?  

From Mosiquitos to spiders and snakes, there is something lurking or flying around here in Spain that has you on their lunch menu. How to cope with those tiny assassins and avoid being bitten or worse is what this episode is all about. This is our real life, in real Spain. Ten years of adventures since swapping our glorious Victorian House in leafy Essex for a tiny flat in a wild Andalusian village. I was once a Radio Producer in London, not a great one. Feel free to comment, like and of course follow - it really helps the show.  

If you've ever stubbed your toe in Spain, you'll know that the locals don't just swear — they stage a one-man opera of profanity. Spanish swearing is a glorious symphony of blasphemy, body parts, and creative bowel movements.  There are a lot of rude words in the episode so please, if you are easily offended, scroll on to the next episode.

Franco was responsible for the "Spanish Miracle," in a recent survey 21 % of Spaniards said that the years of Francisco Franco's rule - 1939 to 1975 were "good" or "very good." Is Spain yearning to return to a time when one person possesses absolute power here in this country? Real Life - Real Spain 

What kind and how many people are living under the wire, classed as “irregular” without paperwork living here in Spain. How does Spain treat the nomads, the minorities and the people who come here without any money or housing? This is our real life, in real Spain. Ten years of adventures since swapping our glorious Victorian House in leafy Essex for a tiny flat in a wild Andalusian village. I was once a Radio Producer in London, not a great one. Feel free to comment, like and of course follow - it really helps the show.  

It was April the 28th and suddenly the lights went out, the fridge and freezer went silent and what followed was eight hours of chaos as a historic Blackout Cripples Spain and Portugal. BUT What is the shocking truth behind a power cut, it was  Europe’s Worst Blackout in 20 Years and plunged Barcelona, Lisbon, Madrid, Porto and Seville into darkness? This is our real life, in real Spain. Ten years of adventures since swapping our glorious Victorian House in leafy Essex for a tiny flat in a wild Andalusian village. I was once a Radio Producer in London, not a great one. Feel free to comment, like and of course follow - it really helps the show.  

Do you really need to speak Spanish in Spain? Can you get by with a few words, Google Translate and waving your hands around. And which company was voted worst Company of the Year in Spain in 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2015, and 2016? This is our real life, in real Spain. Ten years of adventures since swapping our glorious Victorian House in leafy Essex for a tiny flat in a wild Andalusian village. I was once a Radio Producer in London, not a great one. Feel free to comment, like and of course follow - it really helps the show.  

Many move to Spain chasing a healthier, freer life under the sun—but does it really happen? What are the true keys to living longer, better here? Also my glorious failure as a radio producer—paired with the legendary Pete Murray, who somehow survived my on-air blunders (though only just!)

Forget about the culture and language skills -  are Cheap Booze and Fags the biggest danger to your succcessful new life in Spain? And, I sacked Top Gear and The Grand Tours Richard Hamilton for not knowing enough about cars, was I right or wrong to do so? This is our real life, in real Spain. Ten years of adventures since swapping our glorious Victorian House in leafy Essex for a tiny flat in a wild Andalusian village. I was once a Radio Producer in London, not a great one. Feel free to comment, like and of course follow - it really helps the show.    

Is it safe to drink the water in Spain? And the horrific story of a suicide that happened right under our noses. (Contains material that some listeners might find disturbing) This is our real life, in real Spain. Ten years of adventures since swapping our glorious Victorian House in leafy Essex for a tiny flat in a wild Andalusian village. I was once a Radio Producer in London, not a great one. Feel free to comment, like and of course follow - it really helps the show.

Why does Spain have a reputation for casual animal cruelty? WARNING This Episode has depictions of animal cruelty from the start. This is our real life, in real Spain. Ten years of adventures since swapping our glorious Victorian House in leafy Essex for a tiny flat in a wild Andalusian village. I was once a Radio Producer in London, not a great one. Feel free to comment, like and of course follow - it really helps the show.

How do you watch British TV in Spain? And the reality of living in a foreign country, leaving our friends and family behind, have we made a big mistake? This is our real life, in real Spain. Ten years of adventures since swapping our glorious Victorian House in leafy Essex for a tiny flat in a wild Andalusian village. I was once a Radio Producer in London, not a great one. Feel free to comment, like and of course follow - it really helps the show.  

What happens when you wake up on your first morning living in Spain and you realise you might just have made the biggest mistake of your life? What's it like to live just a few kilometres from the Mar de Plástico and how do they grow those delicious strawberries so cheaply? This is our real life, in real Spain. Ten years of adventures since swapping our glorious Victorian House in leafy Essex for a tiny flat in a wild Andalusian village. I was once a Radio Producer in London, not a great one. Feel free to comment, like and of course follow - it really helps the show.  

Is Spain’s reputation for “machista” - sexist or chauvinist men deeply rooted in its historical, cultural, and political past? Is modern Spain ever going to be able to tame the Matadors and their macho ways? This is our real life, in real Spain. Ten years of adventures since swapping our glorious Victorian House in leafy Essex for a tiny flat in a wild Andalusian village. I was once a Radio Producer in London, not a great one. Feel free to comment, like and of course follow - it really helps the show.  

The famous Okupas of Spain - squatters with more rights than the owner of the property they have illegally entered. But are the days of the Okupas numbered? This is our real life, in real Spain. Ten years of adventures since swapping our glorious Victorian House in leafy Essex for a tiny flat in a wild Andalusian village. I was once a Radio Producer in London, not a great one. Feel free to comment, like and of course follow - it really helps the show.

How a Spanish Mayor and a Bikini kick-started the Package Holiday, we carry on abroad with a look back at the great British Holiday to Spain. This is our real life, in real Spain. Ten years of adventures since swapping our glorious Victorian House in leafy Essex for a tiny flat in a wild Andalusian village. I was once a Radio Producer in London, not a great one. Feel free to comment, like and of course follow - it really helps the show.

This is our real life in real Spain and an invitation for you to join us on the journey. Like, it's free, follow, it's free and subscribe, it's free and really helps us make more of these episodes.

Why do around 25% of adults smoke in Spain? Why is it still socially acceptable to smoke in front of children here in Spain? This episode, Spain a smokers paradise? This is our real life, in real Spain. Ten years of adventures since swapping our glorious Victorian House in leafy Essex for a tiny flat in a wild Andalusian village. I was once a Radio Producer in London, not a great one. Feel free to comment, like and of course follow - it really helps the show.