2017-01-03 19:02
A cringing article in La Voz de Almería is titled: 'Mojácar - Goodbye to the Beach Bars'. It's about how our Dearly Belovèd is extending the beach promenade, with its w… Read More
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The Entertainer Online Blog
theentertaineronline.com
The Entertainer Online is an English-language site for Southern Spain
2016-12-30 13:07
They say that there are basically three ways for the Brits in Spain to make ends meet - either from funds from 'back home' (rent, transfers, pensions and what have you) or making some busine… Read More
2016-12-27 11:11
Over at Business over Tapas, I wrote last week about the big political upsets of this year - ten months without a government in Spain; the inopportune result in the British referendum and ho… Read More
2016-12-20 09:39
I had a call from a nice South American lady the other day, working for Movistar, Bless her. She said that, since I had the phone, mobile phone and Internet package, I was due the TV 'Movist… Read More
2016-12-15 09:33
The prestigious Entertainer Online® Mojaquero of the Year Award 2016 goes to local resident Brad Swift and his wife Ann for their sterling work in keeping all of us informed, entertained… Read More
2016-12-14 11:01
It's an old story about how the PP candidate for the Mojácar town hall was adding a rather large number of outsiders to the padrón shortly before the last election. Older still… Read More
2016-12-13 09:30
I've been involved with providing news about Spain since 1985. Some of it makes its way here, some more can be found on the Business over Tapas page on Facebook and, for a useful and full we… Read More
2016-12-12 08:19
No, really, it's good to be home. The recent rains have done wonders to the garden, and although the water is off this morning, everything looks clean, damp and refreshed. The macerator over… Read More
2016-11-29 21:46
I was asked to help correct a short essay on why cannabis should be legalised. A few spelling errors and a re-work of a couple of points and voilá: all done. But, I asked, isn't that… Read More
2016-11-19 18:52
Until recently, Mojácar was famous for its bars. It had (has?) after all, more drinking spots than Norwich. My dad built and opened the first foreign bar here - La Sartén - in… Read More
2016-11-12 10:21
I went up to Mojácar pueblo last night - a Friday - to have a few beers. I went into one popular bar and found the barman reading a book and drinking a Sprite (the devil). 'Bit quiet'… Read More
2016-11-11 08:04
According to the local daily 'Ideal', fines in Almería City of up to 750€ are to be issued against owners of dogs who poop (the dogs, not the owners, of course) in the streets of… Read More
2016-11-09 11:45
I went to court yesterday. A mojaquero I know has a shed on a piece of land above the village. He collects junk and stores it there, taking it off to the yards in Cuevas now and again for a… Read More
2016-11-04 10:25
I joined Andrew Mortimer and Jim Simpson (together, we have started a group called Europats to help protect British and other European expatriates from national pressures and injustices) to… Read More
2016-11-02 20:48
Today I was invited to give a talk to a class-room filled with officers and NCOs from the Spanish Legion based in Viator. The class was given in English in the Misericordia military barracks… Read More
2016-10-28 07:35
There's a debate on one of our local Facebook pages - as to whether Mojácar needs yet more tourism and this for a longer season? Depressingly, most people say 'yes'. I can see shop-ow… Read More
2016-10-27 09:48
The OJD is the official number of ‘useful’ copies printed by newspapers and sold/given away. They are, once again, universally down, as readers turn to their Internet editions (o… Read More
2016-10-27 09:45
An article in a German newspaper here has a woman lawyer warning her children not to speak German while they are together in public in London. It begins: ‘Since the Brexit referendum… Read More
2016-10-21 12:38
Digging up a dying variegated agave (planted by my mother about 40 years ago), infected with the 'agave snout weevil' - the latest plague to hit Almería, I found both these beetles an… Read More
2016-10-19 18:57
The ecologists can't seem to get things together. While the local ones are said to be enthusiasticly releasing the agave snout weevil, which feasts on agave (its grub is the 'worm' found in… Read More
2016-10-13 19:28
Albox appears to have had a lot of mayors recently 8councillors changing sides and so on). the current one has hit the national newspapers this week after he ordered footballs being used by… Read More
2016-10-11 06:48
To show the ‘passion’ of the anti-taurinos towards their point of view, at least in some extreme cases, there’s a story of a child dying from a sarcoma who wants to be a bu… Read More
2016-10-08 08:39
For those of us who don't read the Daily Mail, the Express or the Weenie, it seems that the UK is rather in a mess. Whether the pound going down the Wazzoo, or the rise in hate crimes, or th… Read More
2016-10-02 19:55
Well, if 'Tourist Day' (below) was a bit of a bust, at least we had 'The Day of the Prettiest Pueblos in Spain' today (lucky it wasn't held tomorrow Monday when the Plaza Nueva mirador is de… Read More
2016-09-21 10:38
For the International Day of the Tourist, next Tuesday September 27th, twenty bars in Almería are giving an extra tapa with the first drink. This, according to the hospitality associa… Read More
2016-09-15 12:00
Fruit of some words on Facebook, I've called a meeting with Jessica Simpson and others to discuss care for the elderly - I suppose I mean principally the foreign residents here - and the alt… Read More
2016-09-09 06:47
From this week's edition of Business over Tapas: The area is around 500 hectares, an agricultural region with a number of cortijos and farms: producing oranges, grapefruit, olives, aubergine… Read More
2016-09-05 11:44
A good day to take it easy. The weather channel says it's hitting 37% here in Mojácar today Monday, with a break for tomorrow down to something rather more bearable. I drove into Alme… Read More
2016-09-02 10:27
Mojácar has more to it than tourism. It has residents. We buy a house, a car, we shop all year long and we support local restaurants. Each one of us must put the equivalent of several… Read More
2016-08-31 14:03
While those who live on the Mediterranean coast are planning their first visit to the beach this week, following the prayed-for departure of the huge numbers of visitors, we read with a mixt… Read More
2016-08-26 09:42
Two items from today's Voz de Almería:1) El PSOE anuncia una ofensiva institucional y política para reclamar el AVE (here)2) El PP andaluz afirma que peleará para que el… Read More
2016-08-26 06:52
There is a revolting video going around of a becerrada, a baby bull subjected to the horrors of a violent end in a bullring. The film is in every British media and reminds us once again of o… Read More
2016-08-23 08:35
An interesting project underway in Nijar, lead by a group of engineers, is creating a system of geothermal energy to provide stable temperatures for the invernaderos of the municipality. Thi… Read More
2016-08-22 18:27
Ah, the simple joy of running down to the beach, where the sea meets the sand, to enjoy a quiet half an hour or so of surfing. Now don't bring your surfboard (c'mon, you're too old for that… Read More
2016-08-16 19:41
Why have we still no Government? It’s been nine months since the last one was dissolved to prepare for fresh elections. Since then, we have had two uncertain general elections and ther… Read More
2016-08-08 07:10
The stars peep out from the cobalt sky, their friendly presence a reminder of our departed loved ones, twinkling from the heavens. Or, if you suffer from light pollution, then, not so much… Read More
2016-08-02 10:15
A microcosm of Spanish politics. We journey to Albox in Almería, where Maura Hillen (AUAN) is a councillor for the PSOE: Maura writes last week in her blog ‘Albox town council i… Read More
2016-08-01 16:15
There are any number of reasons why Walt Disney was neither born locally, nor was the son of anyone born locally. It's a cute story based on the fact that he looked a lot like the local doct… Read More
2016-07-29 12:34
So, what would happen to the chiringuitos (beach bars) once the Mojácar Paseo Marítimo (beach promenade) has divided them from the playa?The first beach bar in that strip we kn… Read More
2016-07-28 21:18
In a break with local Mojácar tradition, it seems that the late Jaime 'Tito' del Amo is to get a street named after him. Tito will be only the second foreigner to be so honoured (foll… Read More
2016-07-26 10:06
The Brits are a funny race. Known here as los ingleses (or los guiri or guiris), they may not know much about Spain, or the language or the people, but, By Gum, they certainly know when to f… Read More
2016-07-25 17:03
After the last bit of the 'Paseo Maritimo' was opened a few weeks ago, running from the Cueva de Lobo past the Pueblo Indalo to the Red Cross building, the next bit to consider would be the… Read More
2016-07-24 09:34
In our small corner of enchantment, we are accustomed to occasional swells and troughs in the local population of varmints. An English-language newspaper recently mentioned the plague of fli… Read More
2016-07-23 10:59
Where do you get your news about Spain? Here's last Thursday's Business over Tapas (sent weekly to your e-mail for 60€ a year). Subscribe here. Business over Tapas Nº 170Editorial:… Read More
2016-07-21 18:30
Picking up a story from The Costa Almería News - it seems that the Mojácar Anglican vicar, the Reverend Pauline Williams, has thrown in the towel because some of the faithful w… Read More
2016-07-19 21:40
The Mojácar mayoress has been busy during her tenure. Besides many smaller improvements (the football field, the many roundabouts and the peculiar old-people's exercise machines on th… Read More
2016-07-15 08:17
While we ex-pats panic, wondering what will become of us following Britain's alarming decision to leave the European Union, we turn to the idea of double nationality. Perhaps we can get a se… Read More
2016-07-14 16:27
If you still have time during your travels on the Internet, especially while diving into the heart of Facebook, and, if you are also in shock from the racists in the UK winning that thing (m… Read More
2016-07-14 08:27
Mojácar is very hot at the moment, hot and steamy. From Bédar on Monday, I could see the smog from the Carboneras power station hovering over Mojácar. Smog is a bit like… Read More
2016-07-10 11:17
A news-piece from Spectrum Radio on Facebook from Thursday July 7th. 'Five held over sexual assault after first day of bull run fest'. A girl is raped in Pamplona. So far (Sunday at 12.00h)… Read More
2016-07-07 09:26
An Irishman, resident in Partaloa, has been sentenced to two years in prison for a peculiar crime. He and a British companion (still on the loose, apparently) were drinking in a bar in Parta… Read More
2016-07-06 09:39
Galasa, the local public water company, is putting its prices up - with the charge for its desalinated water to be increased by a whopping 32%. They say they haven't increased their prices s… Read More
2016-07-05 16:26
The threat of ‘Brexit’, while still not understood, is worrying the people of Almería. The agriculturists in the western side of the province sell large amounts of their p… Read More
2016-07-01 17:48
Can we, as ex-pats, find someone to speak for us - whether in Madrid, or London or in Brussels? We need security and a promise. This is the simple idea which was discussed in a meeting in Al… Read More
2016-06-30 15:23
Can we, as ex-pats, find someone to speak for us - whether in Madrid, or London or in Brussels? We need security and a promise. I was at a meeting in Almería today about this - it cou… Read More
2016-06-29 06:24
A donkey was stolen from a farm in Turre last week by persons unknown and, after severe and revolting mistreatment, was killed in a foul and disgraceful way several days later. A local pet s… Read More
2016-06-27 15:19
It’s been a troubling week. Britain has voted in its referendum to leave the EU. For those who live outside the Sceptred Isle – whether those from the rest of the EU member state… Read More
2016-06-27 07:00
Spain's second attempt to find a government in the last six months was held on Sunday, with better than expected results for the Partido Popular, and disappointing results for the other main… Read More
2016-06-24 07:03
Truly a terrible day for Britain. The pound tumbles against the euro to less than par and Gibraltar falls to Madrid. A racist government is voted into parliament in London as Scotland succes… Read More
2016-06-22 16:54
Tito del Amo, one of Mojácar best-known residents, has died after a short illness. Tito first came to Mojácar in January 1966 as an AP photographer to take pictures of the Palo… Read More
2016-06-22 09:54
Remember the plan last year by the Junta de Andalucía to build a padel-tennis court in the Roman amphitheatre in Mérida? Well, unlike the earlier idea, which eventually was wit… Read More
2016-06-21 11:55
A prisoner from the Acebuche high-security prison (near the Almería airport) escaped while seeing a medical specialist in Almería last Friday. The lock on the door of his retai… Read More
2016-06-20 12:43
The New York Times has just published a lengthy article on the 'cover-up' at Palomares, following the USAF accident in January 1966 when four un-armed nuclear bombs fell from the sky, two la… Read More
2016-06-19 09:49
Sad to relate - around 200,000 animals are abandoned each year in Spain. These pets include dogs, cats, horses, rabbits and others, says El Ideal Read More
2016-06-17 12:50
Expat Concerns Read More
2016-06-17 07:02
The proposed brewery to be built outside Berja in Western Almería has run into a snag: the promoters having received a subsidy of 800,000€, have apparently legged it. The land, c… Read More
2016-06-16 10:41
Work permits, visas and the heavy pressure from 27 irate ex-associate countries. Not good. I imagine, after we are all deported back to the UK, that London will have to find the money to hou… Read More
2016-06-15 08:43
The infamous Hotel Algarrobico: the twenty-storey monster that was not quite finished in Carboneras Almería when an order from far-off Seville came to halt work and dismantle, will af… Read More
2016-06-14 18:50
The Mediterranean is surrounded by twenty two countries, which between them share a coastline of 46,000 kilometres. About 480 million people in Europe, Asia and Africa live alongside the sea… Read More
2016-06-13 14:55
Driving along the motorway in the old banger this afternoon... no air/con for a long time now, and it was hot: got up to 40C. I know, I'm just saying Read More
2016-06-11 17:40
A notice from the newspaper (the things that can happen...):RTN UNDER CYBER ATTACKBy Caroline Tyszka RTN would like to apologise to all our loyal readers who are unable to access our website… Read More
2016-06-09 18:30
Friday night - Spain's political parties will be dusting off and once again putting up their 'Vote for Change, Vote for Us Lot' signs and posters everywhere. Loudspeakers on car-roofs (not t… Read More
2016-06-08 16:51
Around 100,000 hunters, fishermen and their supporters were in Madrid on Sunday to demonstrate against the ecologists and their control over at the Ministry of Agriculture as to what animals… Read More
2016-06-07 18:59
An odd time to announce this (just two weeks before the British referendum on Europe), but Jet2 says it will be flying direct to Almería from April next year from five British airport… Read More
2016-06-07 07:08
One place where 'big' is without doubt 'better' is a bank. If you have any money in a bank, you want it to be safe. There was an old bank (reputedly with just two other branches in existence… Read More
2016-06-06 20:52
The word is - they have put cameras up on Mojácar beach to keep a fatherly eye on us. Two have been spotted, in front of the Patio 2000 and another in front of the Puerto Madero. Ther… Read More
2016-06-06 08:47
Much has been written about an incident in the Madrid bullring on June 2nd where a few people from the 'Gladiadores de la Paz' anti-bullfight group staged a modest protest outside the bullri… Read More
2016-06-03 19:41
The famous fiesta returns to Mojácar on June 10 to 12th: noise, colour, beauty, booze, music, explosions and more noise. The magnificent parade on Sunday afternoon is worth the hot su… Read More
2016-06-01 18:32
The Director of the City of Almería Orchestra ('OCAL') is the Englishman Michael Thomas (Wiki), also fêted as a composer and violinist. On June 18th, to celebrate the Internati… Read More
2016-05-31 08:36
After the usual months of waiting as the ink dries, Mojácar’s latest foray into the rules of ‘acceptable behaviour’ finally became law last week. There will be no we… Read More
2016-05-28 20:11
The poet Xosei (José in Spanish) Álvarez gave a reading of his favourite sonnets in both Galician and in Spanish to a no-doubt rapt audience at the Mojácar school yester… Read More
2016-05-28 09:54
There are twelve parties in Almería fighting for the vote in the General Elections, to be held just three days after Britain's wretched referendum. So, no Monster Raving Loony Party (… Read More
2016-05-27 15:24
Zurgena 'Illegal houses' Read More
2016-05-27 15:23
Almería is considered, together with Granada, as the best place for tapas. A beer or wine will earn you a free tapa, a small (or, in Almería, not so small) plate of tid-bits: m… Read More
2016-05-26 17:24
The BoT newsletter went out this morning to its subscribers - Nº 162. It's called that, because, unlike some other publications around here, it started at Nº 1. Anyhow, it is sent… Read More
2016-05-25 10:23
With one thing and another – world-wide asset tax declarations, strict retroactive planning rules, new home-rental rules, the re-think on the padrón (both by the authorities and… Read More
2016-05-24 09:23
There comes a time when there are just too many tourists. Thailand, for example, has just closed off an island because of 'the destruction to the habitat by the over-exploitation of tourism'… Read More
2016-05-21 07:16
It's been a year since the local elections. In Mojácar, on the day after the results were known, the mayoress tearfully let go her translator that all the British (and Rosmari support… Read More
2016-05-20 08:30
Like anyone worth billions, the head of Zara (and second richest man in the world) Amancio Ortega has his detractors. Recently, however, his foundation has been giving generous donations to… Read More
2016-05-17 21:34
There was once a TV show about police on bicycles whizzing about, catching villains aplenty. 'Pacific Blue' it was called (I had to look it up). Evidently someone in Almería likes the… Read More
2016-05-17 06:22
La Voz de Almería has a sympathetic article about the Priors. This is mildly strange as the Spanish press doesn't normally bother with this story. They like to ignore the massive dama… Read More
2016-05-16 20:29
There are thought to be between 3,000 and 4,000 homes for short-term rent in Almería. Now there's a new law to regulate this (and make it, hopefully, preferable to stick with the hote… Read More
2016-05-15 20:33
There are three fiestas which are really just for the locals and are celebrated at the fuente. San Isidro (three days), La Vieja Remolona (one day) and Santa Rosario (three days). The other… Read More
2016-05-13 18:53
The Round Town News - a free newspaper from the Costa Blanca - is now in its third week in Mojácar. The paper is their Almería edition and this week's number - it comes out on… Read More
2016-05-13 18:39
Without a trace of irony, the Junta de Andalucía has sent some er, funcionarios, down to the Mojácar school to teach the kiddies how to become good entrepreneurs when they grow… Read More
2016-05-11 21:21
While there is little change in the other parties for the largely forgotten province of Almería, Podemos has chosen Julio Rodriguez to be their candidate for the province in the upcom… Read More
2016-05-10 18:56
An unfortunate event occurred this past Saturday at the presentation of a book in the Museo de Almería, a public building operated by the Junta de Andalucía. The electricity my… Read More
2016-05-09 18:31
A reporter from Nottingham TV has been in Mojácar for a few days, asking the British ex-pats about that great conundrum, the referendum in the UK which almost none of us can vote on… Read More
2016-05-09 17:10
A useful site provided by the Junta de Andalucía and the national statistics institute gives some numbers for Mojácar. Accurate or not (the INE relies on the padrón for… Read More
2016-05-08 10:15
As we move towards the next General Elections, there is a possible change in the party offer. It seems likely that the Podemos and the Izquierda Unida will join forces, making them the large… Read More
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