Spanish News Today Editors Roundup Weekly Bulletin Aug 11
FEATURED ARTICLES: "This is the new Spanish driving licence coming in 2024" and "This is the comeback that Covid is making this summer"
Coming up this weekend, you can catch the Perseids meteor shower streaming through the sky, most visible on Sunday August 13. Of all the meteor showers that occur throughout the year in Spain, the Perseids is arguably the most spectacular, largely because no matter where you are in Spain, there is a great chance of seeing shooting stars blaze across the sky.
Popularly known as the ‘Tears of Saint Lawrence’ in Spain due to the appearance of this incredible phenomenon so close to August 10, the feast day of Saint Lawrence, the Perseid meteor showers are one of the most awaited displays offered by the sky during the summer.
The shower is active from mid-July to the end of August but will peak this year between August 10 and 13. Be sure to look to the skies and don’t forget to make a wish upon a star!
If your wish is for a day off work, you’ll be pleased to learn that next Tuesday is a festivo in the whole of Spain. August 15 is the Feast of the Assumption, nominally a religious holiday but basically a mid-summer bank holiday when many shops and businesses will be shut – be sure to do your weekly shopping beforehand!
Also in the news, new changes are coming to Spanish driving licences as of next year, and an old, forgotten enemy has reared its ugly head once again this summer.
UK and Spanish driving licences
You’ll probably recall that almost 5 months ago now, on March 15, the UK and Spain reached an agreement on that long-running saga of driving licence exchanges which finally enabled UK licence holders resident in Spain to once again swap their UK permits for a Spanish one without the need to take the costly and complicated practical and theory driving tests.
Well, that agreement allowed anyone who hadn’t yet exchanged their licence a window of up to six months to do so, a window that closes on September 15, in little over a month!
If you are a UK citizen who came to Spain and registered as a resident after March 15, you have six months to exchange from the date you became a resident. But for anyone who was already a resident when the exchange rule came into effect, September 15 will be their deadline.
Anyone who hasn’t gone through the exchange process by then will once again be barred from driving in Spain on their UK licence and, what’s more, will have to sit their driving test in Spain if they want a Spanish driving licence.
So far, so good. All this was laid out and made very clear from the moment the deal was reached back in March.
But there’s quite a few people who continue to lament about problems trying to get an appointment at their local DGT traffic office to do the swap, and some who say they’re having problems since their UK licences had expires, an issue which mainly affected Brits over 70 years old.
For the first group, the advice from the UK Embassy in Madrid is to try and get an appointment with the DGT office in the next town over, or the next one, or wherever you can!
For the second, they have renegotiated a part of the deal this week with the Spanish driving authorities which will hopefully make it easier for anyone whose UK licence expired to make the exchange. This basically consists of adding extra details about the expiry date onto the existing ‘check code’, which you need to get from the DVLA website if you want to exchange your licence.
However, since this measure is so recent, the DVLA haven’t fully – as of the time of writing – added the expiration details to the check code, and there’s no guarantee that workers at the DGT offices know they can now accept such expired licences. All the while, the clock is ticking on the countdown to September 15!
Meanwhile, the Spanish driving licences themselves are due to undergo a radical change from 2024. There’s no need to panic, though – you won’t need to get a new one. Rather, the changes mainly affect motorists under the age of 18.
At the moment, minors can’t drive regular cars in Spain and can only take their theory exam six months before they turn 18. From next year, though, Spain plans to have a system more akin to the USA and allow youngsters over the age of 16 to drive.
Granted, this will only apply to vehicles that cannot exceed a top speed of 60 kilometres per hour. That basically means certain types of quad bikes and small electric mopeds, but the idea is to make sure young people have plenty of on-road experience by the time they hit 18, making for safer and more responsible drivers of larger cars.
Judging by the way young people ride those electric scooters – without helmets, zipping on and off the road like they have a death wish – it might take the most creative of leaps of imagination or the most trusting of souls to grant that it’s a good idea to allow teens on the road to make them safer drivers. But what are we if not trusting, optimistic and always willing to give the benefit of the doubt?
Covid-19
The coronavirus pandemic probably feels like a distant nightmare to most of us at this stage but sadly, the virus is still hanging in there and it’s actually made a bit of a worrying comeback in Spain this summer.
During the last week of July, coronavirus tests detected 75 infections per 100,000 inhabitants (the incidence rate) in Primary Care facilities, which was an increase on the 55 cases reported the previous week – that’s a 36% hike. By age group, the highest incidence so far this summer has been in children under 5 years of age (119.5 cases per 100,000 people).
Covid experts aren’t all that surprised though given the increased social contact that naturally occurs during the summer months and the health authorities have said there’s no cause for concern. Even though there are new variants being detected, these are still Omicron sublineages and thus don’t generally result in serious symptoms or, in many cases, any symptoms at all.
However, the authorities are keeping a close eye on a new strain called eg.5 or Eris, which is far more transmissible than the original virus and has now spread to at least 45 countries.
Based on this development, microbiologists and primary care physicians recommend that at-risk people wear a mask and practice social distancing. In addition, it’s possible that the health authorities will roll-out yet another booster vaccination in the autumn.
Keep cool and carry on
Although the third heatwave of the summer in Spain has now officially passed on its way after leaving extreme and unusual temperatures of up to 44ºC in parts of southern Spain, it’s still really bleeding hot and the risk of wildfires remains at ‘extreme’ level in much of the country.
Those who have solar panels installed on their homes to generate their own energy will have no qualms about leaving the air conditioning on day and night, since it’s estimated that this green measure can save you up to 70% on your electricity bills.
Effective air conditioning can be a life-saver during the summer, but over time these important devices can become sluggish and less efficient. However, a simple clean could be all your air con unit needs to keep it in tip-top working order.
While many people choose to call in the professionals to service their AC, giving the machine a quick once over yourself is actually pretty straightforward and has many benefits, including extending the life of the unit and, most importantly, ensuring it cools the air effectively.
As a general rule of thumb, air con units should be thoroughly cleaned before their first use of the season, but from then on, it really depends on how much use your machine gets. Office ACs, for example, are usually switched on all day, every day, so it’s recommended they’re cleaned every couple of months or so. Most homes, on the other hand, only use the air conditioning for a few months in the summer, so once a year should suffice.
Giving your air con the once-over yourself is quite simple and only requires a little washing-up liquid and a cloth. The most important elements to spruce up are the filters and coils, which should both be dusted before being wiped with soapy water.
Check out the full article for a step-by-step guide on how to clean window A/C units and central air conditioners!
Murcia
Visitors to the beach of Playa del Pescador in Santiago de la Ribera last Thursday may have been surprised to stumble across giant distress messages akin to those etched by castaways in the sand.
The enormous SOS calls read, “I don’t see a way out”, “I’m sad”, and “nobody understands me” and were accompanied by a telephone number, ostensibly belonging to the depressed writer.
In reality, it was all a big publicity stunt by charity organisation Teléfono de la Esperanza (Telephone of Hope in English), in collaboration with San Javier Town Council and local artist Amado Rodríguez, as part of an ingenious campaign to raise awareness about mental health.
The idea behind writing in the sand, they explained, was that, “Many distress signals are carried away by the sea”: “It is urgent to respond to all these calls for help through professionals in the health sector,” said a Teléfono de la Esperanza spokesperson.
They are hoping to use the campaign to not only reach out to people who may be depressed or suicidal, but also to “all professionals in Psychology, Psychiatry or Family Guidance who may be part of the network of volunteers” and aim to encourage people to volunteer to work the telephone lines, because “many people know how to listen, but very few know what to answer”.
There is definitely an answer, however, to the issue of adapting your home for better disabled or elderly access if you don’t think you can afford it. Accessible bathrooms and kitchens in the home are more than just a luxury, they’re a necessity for many people who have mobility problems, and the Region of Murcia government has decided that, due to an ageing population, it’s only fair to offer grants to allow people to get up to 18,000 euros back when they renovate their homes to make them disabled-friendly.
The grant, which is offered directly by the regional Housing Department, covers such work as the installation of elevators, stair lifts and even audiovisual video door phones for those with sight or hearing problems.
They’re making a total of 7.2 million euros available for the grant scheme, and most of the money will be handed out to those households where there are people over the age of 65 years of age and those with disabilities. There are a few provisos, of course: the aid money is available only for buildings built before 2006 and it must also be the applicant’s full-time home and not just a holiday home. Applications to benefit from stripping your bathroom must be submitted online before March 1, 2024.
Talking of stripping, the Spanish Naturism Federation (FEN) has this week voted the El Portús nudist campsite in Cartagena as one of the very best in Spain.
According to the federation, the practice is going from strength to strength in Murcia, with tourists in the buff being able to choose between a wide variety of options from private beach-side havens to idyllic mountain retreats.
Their website claims that “El Portús Naturist Camping and the Costa Cálida's traditional nudist beaches are one of the best places to enjoy the natural Mediterranean Sea” and also highlights other nudist hotspots such as the beaches of Rambla Elena, Parreño, El Charco, El Rafal, Calblanque and Los Dentones.
In fact, El Portús will host the XIII Southern European Naturist Meeting this September, gathering federated nudists from around the world!
For those who prefer activities with their clothes on, starting next Monday in Los Alcázares and lasting until August 24, you can enjoy the ‘Semana Internacional de la Huerta y El Mar’, a colourful event which has always been very popular with both residents and visitors.Like any Spanish festival, it’s basically a chance to eat lots and drink lots, in this case at the ‘barracas’ around the artisan handicrafts market, where traditional lunches and dinners are served at very affordable prices. There’s also plenty of traditional folk music, demonstrations of folk arts and curious religious processions which are worth a look.
For more events like this coming up soon in the Region of Murcia, check out our EVENTS DIARY:
Spain
It’s not just the temperatures that are running high in Spain but tempers too, as the so-called ‘umbrella wars’ continue on beaches and around pools as locals and tourists do battle over the best bathing spot.
The situation came to a head at one Fuerteventura resort this week with an English family accused of assaulting a Spanish family over deck chairs.
According to Albacete man Santiago, the unfortunate altercation occurred while he was holidaying at the island hotel with his wife and two daughters. While he was taking a siesta, his wife nabbed an empty sun lounger beside the pool. She’d hardly plonked her bum on the seat when she was approached by two Brits, who began to shout at her, insisting that the chair she was sitting on was theirs.“To kick her off it, one of them overturned the lounger, which fell on her foot,” Santiago claims.
One of Santiago’s terrified daughters sent him a WhatsApp message reading: “Dad, come down, they are hitting Mom,” and by the time he arrived, Guardia Civil officers were already at the poolside. They took statements from the family, their alleged attackers and the lifeguard.
But sadly, the holiday was ruined for Santiago and his family and they soon contacted their estate agent and moved to a different hotel.
There has been yet another tragic drowning on a beach in Spain, the latest in a series of horrendous accidents in the sea, swimming pools and in hotel resorts in the country.
On August 4, a 33-year-old British man was found in the water off the Cala Jondal beach in San José on the island of Ibiza, presumably having drowned.
Emergency services were called to the scene at around 3.15pm after lifeguards pulled him onto a boat and tried to revive him, but when paramedics arrived and performed CPR he was sadly pronounced dead at the scene.
Police will now investigate to determine the precise cause of death.
Alicante
Mystery still surrounds a terrifying rampage in Torrevieja that left one man dead and two more fighting for their lives over the weekend. The quiet suburb of Torreta III was disturbed by frantic shouting in the early hours of August 3 and when police arrived at the house, they found a Dutch man dead and a British male, aged 40, and Finnish man, 48, both in critical condition having suffered multiple stab wounds.
The Briton was stabbed in the abdomen and remains in a serious condition, as confirmed by the Guardia Civil, who added that they believe the Finnish man, who is currently in intensive care, lived at the house where the fatal stabbing occurred. Early investigations also indicate that he may be the one who killed the Dutch victim.
A search of the property revealed several knives and a hammer that were used during the attack, but police are no closer to discovering why the Brit was at the man’s home, or what led to such a violent altercation.
It’s proving to be a bumper summer in Spain and the lure of the Costa Blanca is spreading, with more tourists than ever flocking to Alicante’s golden coasts. And while visitors from the UK are still the most numerous, Dutch holidaymakers are now the second-largest market for the province, having overtaken Germany and France in the first half of 2023.
According to data published by the National Institute of Statistics for the month of June, 240,000 Britons winged their way to one of Alicante’s municipalities for their vacation, and a good way behind were Dutch tourists, 40,000 of whom chose the Costa Blanca as their holiday destination.
The Netherlands was ahead of other major markets such as France and Germany, which together with the United Kingdom represent the bulk of travellers to Alicante. In the list, the Germans were in third position with 36,000 tourists, followed by Norway (32,000), Belgium (30,000), France (29,000) and Ireland (26,000).
For the president of the Association of Tourist Apartment Companies (APTUR), Miguel Ángel Sotilos, overall “it’s been a good summer.”
Alicante “has so much to offer,” he added, that it’s often difficult to convey the whole picture to prospective tourists.
Finally, if you’re trying to plan where to go with children on your family holiday to Alicante, check out this handy list of family-friendly, fun activities to enjoy with the kids. Highlights, of course, must include Santa Bárbara Castle, the Terra Mítica theme park and the ever-popular Tabarca Island.
Check out the Costa Blanca What’s On and Where to Go Facebook group to see more things to do around Alicante province!
Andalucía
The Costa del Sol is giving Alicante a run for its money this year with thousands of people choosing to leave their old lives behind and relocate to the sunny climes of Malaga. In just 12 months, the population in this one Andalusian province has boomed by 26,181 people, a staggering 21,165 of whom are foreigners.
At the end of March, Malaga boasted 1,761,893 inhabitants, according to the National Institute of Statistics (INE), and on July 1, a total of 322,278 non-nationals called the province their home.
Interestingly, there are far more women than men from different countries now living in Malaga (166,234 versus 156,044).
So, where are all these new expats choosing to hang their hats? Well, a recent study by property experts idealista found that, of the 18 most popular municipalities in Spain for foreign buyers, four can be found in Malaga.What’s more, all of them are in the charming comarca of Axarquía: Cómpeta, Canillas de Albaida, Sayalonga and Frigiliana.
According to the real estate portal, the most searched-for area for home buyers from abroad is the Asturian municipality of Ponga, followed by Cala d’Or on the southeast coast of Mallorca, while Malaga’s very own Cómpeta came in third place.
“The main feature they share is that they are coastal towns or located a few kilometres from the sea,” idealista concluded.
If you’re looking for something alternative and out of the way to visit in Andalucía, you could do worse than the little-known John Lennon statue in the centre of Almería city. Located in the northwestern part of the city centre, in the Plaza de Flores, the statue immortalises the Beatle (as if he wasn’t immortalised already) in bronze with his guitar.
Arguably more impressive than the city’s other landmark, the rusting hulk ‘El Cable Inglés’ which local almerienses are so proud of, and leaving a more lasting impression than the city’s delicious tapas, the John Lennon statue is something of a surprise to many visitors to Almería. After all, The Beatles only ever played two gigs in Spain, and that was in 1965, neither of which were in Almería.
So why did they put a statue of Lennon there, of all places? Well, as the plaque accompanying the statue explains, the dedication to John is due to the fact that he supposedly wrote ‘Strawberry Fields Forever’ while he was staying in Almeria in 1966. He was filming the movie ‘How I Won the War’ at the time, and in breaks between shooting took time to compose one of The Beatles’ best-known hits. So momentous was this event that the Ayuntamiento de Almería, the City Council, felt it appropriate to erect a monument to John in 2006.
The statue is a remarkably faithful representation of Lennon as he was in 1966, in his army fatigues and boots that he wore for filming, along with his trademark round spectacles. Beatles fans will find this an essential stop if they’re visiting this corner of southeast Spain, and as an added bonus the house John stayed in at the time, where he recorded the first demo tapes of ‘Strawberry Fields’ in the presence of his first wife Cynthia and bandmate Ringo Starr, has been turned into the Casa del Cine, or Cinema House museum. John even gets his very own room in the museum called the ‘Source of Inspiration Room’, adorned with pictures and memorabilia of the time John spent in Spain.
Worth a stop by if you ever find yourself in the area!
You may have missed…
- What is a Community of Owners in Spain? Explainer for expat homeowners!
Find out in our handy explainer guide exactly what the Community of Owners, or Comunidad de Propietarios, does, how it is managed and the problems it can solve for property owners. - Brit cop, 26, dies on holiday in Mallorca.
A British policeman Jack Reay, aged 26, has died while on holiday in Mallorca, Spain. PC Reay, from Uttoxeter, died after going into cardiac arrest on the Spanish island. - Lorca could soon get a new viewpoint on the clock tower.
In order to provide a full, unencumbered frontal view of the church of San Patricio, the Ayuntamiento de Lorca city council is considering installing a viewing point in the clock tower. - Barcelona to close one of its ports to cruise ships.
Barcelona is doing its bit in the fight against climate change by closing off its north port to all cruise ship activity from this October, thus honouring a 2018 agreement made between the Port and Council to shut down “the emission point closest to the city.” - Discover the growing trend of permanent house swaps in Spain.
The option of house swapping as an alternative to selling an old property and purchasing a new one really took off during the coronavirus pandemic, bit it’s an interesting, if unconventional, practice that has been growing in Spain ever since...
And that’s all we’ve got for you this week, but don’t worry – we’ll be back next week with more.
See you then!
