Well, there we are, in the final minutes of 2009, and still no solution over the water crisis.
Had to pay them €50 towards the bill to stop them cutting my water off, the heartless bastards! Imagine sending anyone such a threatening letter at Christmas time? And this is a Catholic country too!
Anyway, it seems I own my water meter. Have you ever heard such rubbish? That'll be why I pay them rental on it I suppose? I'm renting what I already own.
Basically, they are saying that because the meter is mine, it is up to me to pay a plumber, or someone, to check it. If I was rich enough it's a bloody lawyer I'd be taking to these people, not a plumber.
According to Javier, (and this might be true, I don't know) it is illegal for the Town Hall to be in charge of the water anyway. It should be a proper company, sending out proper bills, with none of this 'we'll take the money out of your bank account' or as they said to me the other day 'you will have to open a bank account in order to pay this'. Like Hell I will! More robbing bastards. Look, this is Europe 2010 (almost). What is so hard about sending someone a bill for a service like every other utility company on the planet does?
Hey the warning letter they sent me was shoved under my door. It's lucky the dogs didn't eat it. What is wrong with the postal service? And if they can hand-deliver warning letters, why not bloody well post the bills?
Oooh...I'm not supposed to be angry. It's Hogmanay!
Thursday, December 31, 2009
Friday, December 25, 2009
Billy Poulton's Memorial Garden
I said I'd write about him again, and here it is. Billy died in a caravan fire last month, and his family have now turned the site of his caravan into a Memorial Garden.
If anyone has any plants to spare, I'm sure his mum, Rachel, will be able to put them to good use. This garden has water on site and it will be a fitting tribute for him in years to come.
If anyone has any plants to spare, I'm sure his mum, Rachel, will be able to put them to good use. This garden has water on site and it will be a fitting tribute for him in years to come.
Electricity
Talking of electricity, here's an interesting one.
It is now NO LONGER POSSIBLE to pay your electricity bill in the village. The new electric company have chosen two possible banks, neither of which have a branch in the village, and the Post Office for places in which to pay the bills.
Last bill got paid in the Post Office no probs. This one - no - had to go all the way to Finestrat to pay it, because our postman doesn't have a computer link.
If anyone wants to sort this out, we should get behind the postie on this and demand our right to pay it in the Post Office without his having to splash out on a computer and internet connection. Or at least, Head Office should pay for it.
Email www.correos.es and make your voice heard!
It is now NO LONGER POSSIBLE to pay your electricity bill in the village. The new electric company have chosen two possible banks, neither of which have a branch in the village, and the Post Office for places in which to pay the bills.
Last bill got paid in the Post Office no probs. This one - no - had to go all the way to Finestrat to pay it, because our postman doesn't have a computer link.
If anyone wants to sort this out, we should get behind the postie on this and demand our right to pay it in the Post Office without his having to splash out on a computer and internet connection. Or at least, Head Office should pay for it.
Email www.correos.es and make your voice heard!
Power Surge
Not been a great week. Since the storm last Monday we've had no telly. Looks now like there was a power surge when the elctricity came back on, and it has blown the (just out of warranty and no more) digiSat box. Hmmm...fridge light blew too. I know it's only a bulb but I haven't actually got a replacement lying around.
Anyway, put in a claim to the insurance company. Wonder will they pay out and find some clause or other to specifically exclude power surges, or Acts of God, or whatever excuse insurance companies normally use?
Only one way to find out. It's not as if I don't pay them plenty and I have never claimed for anything before.
Anyway, put in a claim to the insurance company. Wonder will they pay out and find some clause or other to specifically exclude power surges, or Acts of God, or whatever excuse insurance companies normally use?
Only one way to find out. It's not as if I don't pay them plenty and I have never claimed for anything before.
Water...yet again!!
Got a nice Christmas present frm the Town Hall. Pay your water bill in 15 days or we are coming to cut you off. Nice, eh?
This is the gigantic water bill previously mentioned. I have asked them to check meter but then never heard from them. Suppose that means that it is correct?
How could I have used 10 swimming pools or whatever worth of water!! Mystery to me!
This is the gigantic water bill previously mentioned. I have asked them to check meter but then never heard from them. Suppose that means that it is correct?
How could I have used 10 swimming pools or whatever worth of water!! Mystery to me!
Tuesday, December 15, 2009
She told me
If you like reading/writing interesting articles online, have a look here: Shetoldme.com
Storm
What a day it was yesterday!
Snow, sleet, high winds, freezing! At one stage I saw a garden shade umbrella flying through the air like something out of 'Mary Poppins'. It came from around about Campo Rosso and landed somewhere at the back of the little rocky outcrop that sits in front of Muscaret.
Power was on and off all day, then went off completely about 6pm, and didn't come back on until 11pm.
Phone lines went down, all the mobile signals went down (including Orange, so I lost my internet, and it didn't come back on until 6pm this evening).
Woke up today to see the surrounding hills white-ish, but I've never seen lying snow to low before here! I've no satellite TV; don't know if the winds have moved the dish, or whether rainwater penetrated the box (we've got a leak above the TV).
Went down to LaCala today; signs of wind damage all the way. Lost roof tiles, trees damaged, telegraph poles squinty, but what a beautiful day it was today, after the carnage yesterday.
Snow, sleet, high winds, freezing! At one stage I saw a garden shade umbrella flying through the air like something out of 'Mary Poppins'. It came from around about Campo Rosso and landed somewhere at the back of the little rocky outcrop that sits in front of Muscaret.
Power was on and off all day, then went off completely about 6pm, and didn't come back on until 11pm.
Phone lines went down, all the mobile signals went down (including Orange, so I lost my internet, and it didn't come back on until 6pm this evening).
Woke up today to see the surrounding hills white-ish, but I've never seen lying snow to low before here! I've no satellite TV; don't know if the winds have moved the dish, or whether rainwater penetrated the box (we've got a leak above the TV).
Went down to LaCala today; signs of wind damage all the way. Lost roof tiles, trees damaged, telegraph poles squinty, but what a beautiful day it was today, after the carnage yesterday.
Sunday, December 13, 2009
Thefts from Campo Rosso
Ok spoke to the policia locale today about something else entirely - and no I'm not sayng what you nosey git! - but during the course of the conversation they revealed that the missing TV's were not found in another house. They were in the graveyard that backs onto the the housing estate, ready for collection.
Also, the Inspector Poirots' de La Guardia Civil have said they are looking for two black haired men!
Give them a biscuit! Wow! They have now ruled out 2% of the whole population of Span!
Also, the Inspector Poirots' de La Guardia Civil have said they are looking for two black haired men!
Give them a biscuit! Wow! They have now ruled out 2% of the whole population of Span!
Friday, December 11, 2009
Billy Poulton
This is the first mention I have made of young Billy online here. He died in a caravan fire a few short weeks ago, aged 20.
His mother his holding a kind of 'farewell Billy' party on the campo tomorrow night.
We had a church memorial service a week or so ago, which had a really good turn-out. Billy was well-liked.
I'll write more about Billy again. He deserves to be remembered.
His mother his holding a kind of 'farewell Billy' party on the campo tomorrow night.
We had a church memorial service a week or so ago, which had a really good turn-out. Billy was well-liked.
I'll write more about Billy again. He deserves to be remembered.
Burglaries
Just an update to say there have been more break-ins, not only at Campo Rosso but in the campo too, though I'm not sure exactly where or what was taken.
Also, it is said that police have recovered a lot of the stolen TV's. They were in an unoccupied house in Campo Rosso and several people have had their belongings returned. Seems fingerprints were not looked for, which I find hard to believe.
Also, it is said that police have recovered a lot of the stolen TV's. They were in an unoccupied house in Campo Rosso and several people have had their belongings returned. Seems fingerprints were not looked for, which I find hard to believe.
History of Relleu
I really want to write a hub about Relleu's history. I thought to myself, no bother, I'll take a trip into the museum and find out all I need to know.
Well, this is Relleu. The museum is shut for building works which could last for Goodness knows what time. The Town Hall has a few leaflets about Relleu, all written in either Spanish or Valenciano. Goodness, don't these guys print in any other language? How do they hope to attract tourists?
Anyway, I read them but much of the info I want to know is missing, so I asked in a local Spanish Bar how to find out the missing information.
Got given two names, two old guys in the village who have its history in their heads. Love it right away. It's sooooo OLD, isn't it? When local history was only known by a few old-timers?
That's my next project - to find out as full as possible a history and write it down, in English.
I want to know when the first house was built, when the castle was built, what wars they fought, what happened to the castle - let's face it, it cannot even be called a ruin, all that seems to be left is a couple of half-walls.
I'm fascinated by the wash-house. When did it stopped being used? I'm presuming its Victorian, but when was it built?
The church - how old is it?
Most of the townhouses...when were they built? I know someone said once that the downstairs was for the horses. The narrowness of the streets were maybe OK for horses in the old days. When did horses stop being used?
Loads of stuff, all interesting, and all deserve to be written and published online for the world to read.
Well, this is Relleu. The museum is shut for building works which could last for Goodness knows what time. The Town Hall has a few leaflets about Relleu, all written in either Spanish or Valenciano. Goodness, don't these guys print in any other language? How do they hope to attract tourists?
Anyway, I read them but much of the info I want to know is missing, so I asked in a local Spanish Bar how to find out the missing information.
Got given two names, two old guys in the village who have its history in their heads. Love it right away. It's sooooo OLD, isn't it? When local history was only known by a few old-timers?
That's my next project - to find out as full as possible a history and write it down, in English.
I want to know when the first house was built, when the castle was built, what wars they fought, what happened to the castle - let's face it, it cannot even be called a ruin, all that seems to be left is a couple of half-walls.
I'm fascinated by the wash-house. When did it stopped being used? I'm presuming its Victorian, but when was it built?
The church - how old is it?
Most of the townhouses...when were they built? I know someone said once that the downstairs was for the horses. The narrowness of the streets were maybe OK for horses in the old days. When did horses stop being used?
Loads of stuff, all interesting, and all deserve to be written and published online for the world to read.
Thursday, December 10, 2009
Hubnuggets Award
This isn't anything to do with Relleu, I just wanted to announce to the world that one of hubs over on Hubpages has been nominated for a Hubnugget Award, but I now need everyone to read it and all the other contenders and VOTE! There are 10 hubs in the running and one of them is mine, but of course you can vote for anyone you want to.
Scroll to the near the bottom of the Hubnuggets link above, mine in the one entitled West Coast of Kintyre, Scotland
Scroll to the near the bottom of the Hubnuggets link above, mine in the one entitled West Coast of Kintyre, Scotland
Friday, December 4, 2009
Campo Rosso
Funny I should be talking about the change in the street lighting recently, because now a neighbourhood urbanization is suffering what I thought might happen here, but in this case, I fear the street lights have nothing to do with it.
10 break-ins recently, this on an estate with maximum 100 dwellings, I would have thought. Hard to tell when they are all so close together.
Anyway, it looks like someone has been watching the houses, and knows those which are holiday homes and those which aren't.
Within the past two weeks or so, there has been a spate of robberies; someone stealing TV sets mainly apparently. Anyone want to buy a TV?
The other morning, a resident left for work, and within minutes his house was entered, setting off the alarms he had wisely fitted. It seems that the perpetrators might have been caught on CCTV so with any luck that will bring an end to the current spate of thefts.
I'm not terribly worried about my house getting done.
They'd have to get past the 4 incredibly stupid dogs my partner has accumulated first, and while I'm convinced they'd do no damage, they'd bark the place down....probably in welcome to the intruder.....but anyway, I'm always here, and he's always here, so between us, we'd sort it all out.
I've already had intruders in my garden. They broke the chain-link fence and stole some of my bigger palm trees I had in pots. And the dogs slept, the useless gits!
The worst thing about having intruders/burglars in your house, is knowing they have been there. I'm convinced that even if they didn't steal anything, your feeling of safety/security, whatever word fits, is gone...for a time at least...after your visit from burglars. And it is not a pleasant feeling.
I got done before, many moons ago. My little twins were only days old but I had captured many photographs of them on my camera, a not inexpensive SLR one, the name of which escapes me at the moment.
The burglars who came in the night, so silently none of us knew, stole not only the cash I had stowed in my house to pay the mortgage, my entire collection of 50+ original artist CD's (nowadays they are all free using .torrent files) and my camera.
I put the word out on the street. Just give me the film back from the camera (this was pre-digital). Nothing.....nada.
These pictures were irreplaceable.
Thieves just don't seem to understand that when they 'tan' a house, people aren't that bothered by the loss of their TV/Video player/money/whatever.
It is the things with memories attached that are the most painful - jewellery ( not that I ever had any), cameras with photos, memories. These are irreplaceable.
Don't do it.
10 break-ins recently, this on an estate with maximum 100 dwellings, I would have thought. Hard to tell when they are all so close together.
Anyway, it looks like someone has been watching the houses, and knows those which are holiday homes and those which aren't.
Within the past two weeks or so, there has been a spate of robberies; someone stealing TV sets mainly apparently. Anyone want to buy a TV?
The other morning, a resident left for work, and within minutes his house was entered, setting off the alarms he had wisely fitted. It seems that the perpetrators might have been caught on CCTV so with any luck that will bring an end to the current spate of thefts.
I'm not terribly worried about my house getting done.
They'd have to get past the 4 incredibly stupid dogs my partner has accumulated first, and while I'm convinced they'd do no damage, they'd bark the place down....probably in welcome to the intruder.....but anyway, I'm always here, and he's always here, so between us, we'd sort it all out.
I've already had intruders in my garden. They broke the chain-link fence and stole some of my bigger palm trees I had in pots. And the dogs slept, the useless gits!
The worst thing about having intruders/burglars in your house, is knowing they have been there. I'm convinced that even if they didn't steal anything, your feeling of safety/security, whatever word fits, is gone...for a time at least...after your visit from burglars. And it is not a pleasant feeling.
I got done before, many moons ago. My little twins were only days old but I had captured many photographs of them on my camera, a not inexpensive SLR one, the name of which escapes me at the moment.
The burglars who came in the night, so silently none of us knew, stole not only the cash I had stowed in my house to pay the mortgage, my entire collection of 50+ original artist CD's (nowadays they are all free using .torrent files) and my camera.
I put the word out on the street. Just give me the film back from the camera (this was pre-digital). Nothing.....nada.
These pictures were irreplaceable.
Thieves just don't seem to understand that when they 'tan' a house, people aren't that bothered by the loss of their TV/Video player/money/whatever.
It is the things with memories attached that are the most painful - jewellery ( not that I ever had any), cameras with photos, memories. These are irreplaceable.
Don't do it.
Wednesday, December 2, 2009
Tuesday, November 24, 2009
Polop Mayor
OMG the mayor of Polop was arrested today as the 7th suspect in the murder two years ago of the previous mayor.
I'm saying nothing more about the current mayor here in Relleu now that I know what these guys get up to.......
Oh and here's a link to the news:
http://www.typicallyspanish.com/news/publish/article_24062.shtml
I'm saying nothing more about the current mayor here in Relleu now that I know what these guys get up to.......
Oh and here's a link to the news:
http://www.typicallyspanish.com/news/publish/article_24062.shtml
Water again
I'm still sweating buckets over the water bill. I can't get the money together to pay it. It's extortionate. And as my meter reads the next one high too, I'm frightened to use water for everyday things now.
Still haven't asked them to check the meter, but I will do soon.
Especially now that I am hearing of others also receiving huge bills. Like the guy up the top with a holiday home that he hardly ever visits, but who uses a garden irrigation system to keep his garden alive in his absence. €500. Or the other family, again with a holiday home but one which is used frequently by the family with a water bill of €450. Mine at €340 seems cheap by comparison.
Everything else on this estate has been badly-built/fitted. Why not the water meters too?
Water is cheap here. Most bills are between 10-40 euros. My neighbour across the street got a bill for €11 in the same period that mine was €340, and her grandchildren visit a lot, having baths/showers etc, AND she runs a swimming pool which needs topped up a lot.
Another guy runs a full size jacuzzi as well as a swimming pool and his highest ever was €70. Same with another family who live on the campo and have a huge garden which they also water daily, AND who suffered a water leak at one point, creating a small lake.
I'm told I must have a leak and yet there is no sign of excess water anywhere, and the meter doesn't move when the water is not running.
Sigh.
Still haven't asked them to check the meter, but I will do soon.
Especially now that I am hearing of others also receiving huge bills. Like the guy up the top with a holiday home that he hardly ever visits, but who uses a garden irrigation system to keep his garden alive in his absence. €500. Or the other family, again with a holiday home but one which is used frequently by the family with a water bill of €450. Mine at €340 seems cheap by comparison.
Everything else on this estate has been badly-built/fitted. Why not the water meters too?
Water is cheap here. Most bills are between 10-40 euros. My neighbour across the street got a bill for €11 in the same period that mine was €340, and her grandchildren visit a lot, having baths/showers etc, AND she runs a swimming pool which needs topped up a lot.
Another guy runs a full size jacuzzi as well as a swimming pool and his highest ever was €70. Same with another family who live on the campo and have a huge garden which they also water daily, AND who suffered a water leak at one point, creating a small lake.
I'm told I must have a leak and yet there is no sign of excess water anywhere, and the meter doesn't move when the water is not running.
Sigh.
CamBank Yet again!
Well wonders will never cease! The money was 'apparently' stuck in the machine that I withdrew it from, and it was returned to me two days later. Thank God as I certainly can't afford to lose €50.
Warning to everyone - count the money you withdraw from the cash machine just in case this happens to you, if that is indeed what happened to me. And if I hadn't gone in and asked? Would I have had this money returned to me? I think not.
Warning to everyone - count the money you withdraw from the cash machine just in case this happens to you, if that is indeed what happened to me. And if I hadn't gone in and asked? Would I have had this money returned to me? I think not.
Tuesday, November 17, 2009
Dorothy and Peter Holidays
If all my ranting about Relleu makes you interested in coming to visit us (what are you...MAD???) , click on the link here and book a holiday with my friends Dorothy and Peter.
No really for a holiday this place is perfecto! Far from the madding crowd, almost completely without public transport (there is a daily bus to Villajoyosa), this is the ideal 'getawayfromitall' place to go.
If you enjoy Spanish food there is a wide range of excellent choices, but if you are scared to ask and/or don't understand the language, then there is the English run Lemon Tree , Cazador or Sonrisa (Dutch/English owned) to choose from.
I personally recommend the Lemon Tree, my local. Chris and Mandy are lovely. Hey Mandy if you read this, I will expect recompense later!
Only kidding.
The Lemon Tree do a karaoke Friday nights and sometimes a quiz Thursdays, and always the top sporting events, through Sky, if you are into that.
I suspect that if you are 'into that' as I said, you would choose Benidorm instead of here.
However it is nice to know that you can get away from it all, and just have a quiet drink in the evening to wind down after a long tiring day on the golf course or whatever.
Dorothy's village flat is lovely by the way. I have seen it.
Don't worry about the things I have written on my site. OK the tap water is foul, but safe. It's full of chemicals as well as natural minerals.
The electricity works most of the time.
You no longer have to put toilet paper in a receptacle instead of down the loo in the village bars, or most of the houses I suspect.
If you are coming fr0m the UK, fill your suitcase with things like T bags, coffee, Bisto, ready made sauces, Oxo, loaves of bread etc. If anyone cares to comment here I can compile a full list of the foodstuffs that are either not available here, or available at a vastly inflated price.
Spanish Bimbo bread is awful!
Barra de pan, on the other hand, what we would call a French loaf, is what the Spanish eat. It's cheap, really nice, but doesn't fit on a toaster!
No really for a holiday this place is perfecto! Far from the madding crowd, almost completely without public transport (there is a daily bus to Villajoyosa), this is the ideal 'getawayfromitall' place to go.
If you enjoy Spanish food there is a wide range of excellent choices, but if you are scared to ask and/or don't understand the language, then there is the English run Lemon Tree , Cazador or Sonrisa (Dutch/English owned) to choose from.
I personally recommend the Lemon Tree, my local. Chris and Mandy are lovely. Hey Mandy if you read this, I will expect recompense later!
Only kidding.
The Lemon Tree do a karaoke Friday nights and sometimes a quiz Thursdays, and always the top sporting events, through Sky, if you are into that.
I suspect that if you are 'into that' as I said, you would choose Benidorm instead of here.
However it is nice to know that you can get away from it all, and just have a quiet drink in the evening to wind down after a long tiring day on the golf course or whatever.
Dorothy's village flat is lovely by the way. I have seen it.
Don't worry about the things I have written on my site. OK the tap water is foul, but safe. It's full of chemicals as well as natural minerals.
The electricity works most of the time.
You no longer have to put toilet paper in a receptacle instead of down the loo in the village bars, or most of the houses I suspect.
If you are coming fr0m the UK, fill your suitcase with things like T bags, coffee, Bisto, ready made sauces, Oxo, loaves of bread etc. If anyone cares to comment here I can compile a full list of the foodstuffs that are either not available here, or available at a vastly inflated price.
Spanish Bimbo bread is awful!
Barra de pan, on the other hand, what we would call a French loaf, is what the Spanish eat. It's cheap, really nice, but doesn't fit on a toaster!
Monday, November 16, 2009
Update to the egg-shell debacle
I know who did it. I know the group of kids who did it, if not the individual. It wasn't only my house that got targeted.
Now I hope these kids are online and that they read this. I know who you are.
Your parents are aware I know. They may chose to not accept your guilt, but I have overwhelming evidence which I may or may not take to the authorities. I haven't decided yet.
All I am saying here is that it had better not happen again. Halloween is a whole year away. If I haven't forgotten about what you did, and I don't expect I will seeing as I have published this online, I can assure you that next year you will definitely not be getting whatever goodies I may or may not buy in for the kids, depending entirely of course on my remembering that it is actually Halloween.
To everyone reading this. English kids are responsible, older kids ageing around 12 years but acting like stupid 3 year olds. If they were mine they would be grounded, lying flat because they wouldn't be able to sit down, their behoochies being that sore!
Now I hope these kids are online and that they read this. I know who you are.
Your parents are aware I know. They may chose to not accept your guilt, but I have overwhelming evidence which I may or may not take to the authorities. I haven't decided yet.
All I am saying here is that it had better not happen again. Halloween is a whole year away. If I haven't forgotten about what you did, and I don't expect I will seeing as I have published this online, I can assure you that next year you will definitely not be getting whatever goodies I may or may not buy in for the kids, depending entirely of course on my remembering that it is actually Halloween.
To everyone reading this. English kids are responsible, older kids ageing around 12 years but acting like stupid 3 year olds. If they were mine they would be grounded, lying flat because they wouldn't be able to sit down, their behoochies being that sore!
Street Lighting
Can it get any better here?
Today, they changed the street lights to low wattage white bulbs, instead of the bright yellow sodium lights.
Burglars paradise no doubt. Hmmm...they’ll be round trying to sell us alarms soon. I read about a council in the UK who wanted to change their street lighting, but at least they put it to public consultation first. In the end, I think, the idea got thrown out because people were more worried about the crime rate going up with minimal street lighting, than they were concerned with Global Warming or whatever excuse they used to try and save the Council money.
Who asked us?
I’m not saying the new white lights aren’t pretty, in their own way. We certainly have less light pollution now for the star-gazers amongst us.
But sorry the crime rate will go up because no-one can see a damn thing! My back garden, for example, got a bit of light spillage from the street before. Not a lot, but better than none. I can’t afford to pay for extra security lighting when my electricity bill is running at €50 a month just for normal house lighting (and no I do not waste electricity by leaving unnecessary lights on, and yes I do use low wattage bulbs throughout the house), the TV, the cooker, and the water immerser.
I have no gas except for a calor gas fire and no other form of heating....well that’s not true...I do have three electric convector heaters which I have not used for 5 years because they are too expensive to run. Nothing else runs in the house except what is outlined above...well maybe the computer but nothing else. Well except the fridge/freezer, but it’s ‘A’ rated. Oh and the washing machine but even then it’s on only maybe once a week to save water as well as electricity.
[God there is more than we think, eh?]
I’m about to get my second huge water bill. I’ve checked the meter and it keeps turning like a whirling dervish whenever I run a tap. I’m frightened to water the plants and have taken to throwing the dirty dish water over them, and keeping showers/hair-washing to a minimum.
I even shut the tap off while brushing my teeth.
I’m going to ask the council to send someone out to check my meter, but I’m frightened to go in and ask for someone to do that without having the money to pay the bill. If they would accept a part-payment meanwhile I’d be happy, but it’s not been suggested to me as acceptable.
Hmmmm.....
Today, they changed the street lights to low wattage white bulbs, instead of the bright yellow sodium lights.
Burglars paradise no doubt. Hmmm...they’ll be round trying to sell us alarms soon. I read about a council in the UK who wanted to change their street lighting, but at least they put it to public consultation first. In the end, I think, the idea got thrown out because people were more worried about the crime rate going up with minimal street lighting, than they were concerned with Global Warming or whatever excuse they used to try and save the Council money.
Who asked us?
I’m not saying the new white lights aren’t pretty, in their own way. We certainly have less light pollution now for the star-gazers amongst us.
But sorry the crime rate will go up because no-one can see a damn thing! My back garden, for example, got a bit of light spillage from the street before. Not a lot, but better than none. I can’t afford to pay for extra security lighting when my electricity bill is running at €50 a month just for normal house lighting (and no I do not waste electricity by leaving unnecessary lights on, and yes I do use low wattage bulbs throughout the house), the TV, the cooker, and the water immerser.
I have no gas except for a calor gas fire and no other form of heating....well that’s not true...I do have three electric convector heaters which I have not used for 5 years because they are too expensive to run. Nothing else runs in the house except what is outlined above...well maybe the computer but nothing else. Well except the fridge/freezer, but it’s ‘A’ rated. Oh and the washing machine but even then it’s on only maybe once a week to save water as well as electricity.
[God there is more than we think, eh?]
I’m about to get my second huge water bill. I’ve checked the meter and it keeps turning like a whirling dervish whenever I run a tap. I’m frightened to water the plants and have taken to throwing the dirty dish water over them, and keeping showers/hair-washing to a minimum.
I even shut the tap off while brushing my teeth.
I’m going to ask the council to send someone out to check my meter, but I’m frightened to go in and ask for someone to do that without having the money to pay the bill. If they would accept a part-payment meanwhile I’d be happy, but it’s not been suggested to me as acceptable.
Hmmmm.....
Guardia
God Bless the Spanish system of protecting women! At least I am told that that is why the Guardia Civil are going out of their way to offer me protection after they ‘lost’ their prisoner, the guy who has now been found guilty in court of attempted murder.
This guy disappeared for 4 years. That is why the court case was only held earlier this year, only four and a half years after the event.
They phoned me Friday, but I was busy and couldn’t take the call. They sent the local policeman to my door instead, to instruct us to be on the lookout for their lost prisoner, who may or may not seek revenge on the woman who sent him down. i.e. - me.
Their timing is terrible, as they turned up again this morning while I was being robbed by the bank to offer me protection. I believe they were talking about making sure I have their number in case this guy showed up.
Yeah they are at least 20 minutes away. I am sure that will be a lot of help. If they are that worried, fit me up with video protection directly linked to the police station.
I do not expect to see this guy, but just in case I have issued a description to some friends locally, not that I really remember what he looks like, but there aren’t that many 5’2” swarthy Spanish looking guys around. Even here in Spain.
Well yeah there are thousands that fit that description, but not here in Relleu.
Miguel was a nutcase, in the worst possible way. He was probably psycho or schizo or whatever psychiatric label fits. He doesn’t belong in prison. He belongs in a high security mental hospital and they should throw away the key.
He will always be a danger to women, because despite being vertically challenged, he was a very good looking man and could be charming when he wanted to be.
Obviously when I gave evidence against him in court, via video-link and through an interpreter who didn’t understand my Scottish accent, I have failed to convey my fears about his mental stability. I might have done better without an interpreter. El es loco y muy peligroso, says so much more that what the interpreter interpreted. Or what I actually said in English. I was only asked to account facts, not opinions.
Don’t they employ their own psychiatrists? The man is mad!
I’m a bit worried in case the Guardia are being cautious with me because he maybe issued death threats against me in prison. They haven’t said. But they’ll be back later today so I’ll ask them then.
They didn’t come back. Probably they will come back when I am out, as usual.
For those of you who don’t know, Miguel is the Spaniard who I had the misfortune to have a brief affair with, who took his revenge when I dumped him in the most horrible way. He came to my door in the middle of the night, and battered the living daylights out of me before throwing me out of the window (a 20 foot fall to the ground) resulting in a broken back and neck, after which he stood over me for 5 hours and refused to call for help for me, even though I was obviously in pain and in dire need of medical attention.
Thanks entirely to the skill of the surgical staff in Villajoyosa Hospital, I am rebuilt with steel plates and pins and have full control of my body again.
I will always be eternally grateful to the Royal British Legion here in Spain who helped me out with the loan of a wheelchair when I couldn’t walk, despite the fact I have never been in the military services though my ex-husband was at one time.
Nowadays, I am more or less fine. To all potential employers out there, I can do a lot more things than I am supposed to be able to do. I can lift and haul and drag things up stairs, but don’t make it part of my job description. I will do these things to help out but I will always be in pain later, in private. I cannot sit in the same position for long either without having severe consequences later, but I could still do it, at a push, at least until the arthritis sets in, as it probably will do some day, but not yet.
So I guess I am still employable. Anyone looking for a worker?
How about PRISON WARDER! I’d do a better job of these numpties that let Miguel go free.
This guy disappeared for 4 years. That is why the court case was only held earlier this year, only four and a half years after the event.
They phoned me Friday, but I was busy and couldn’t take the call. They sent the local policeman to my door instead, to instruct us to be on the lookout for their lost prisoner, who may or may not seek revenge on the woman who sent him down. i.e. - me.
Their timing is terrible, as they turned up again this morning while I was being robbed by the bank to offer me protection. I believe they were talking about making sure I have their number in case this guy showed up.
Yeah they are at least 20 minutes away. I am sure that will be a lot of help. If they are that worried, fit me up with video protection directly linked to the police station.
I do not expect to see this guy, but just in case I have issued a description to some friends locally, not that I really remember what he looks like, but there aren’t that many 5’2” swarthy Spanish looking guys around. Even here in Spain.
Well yeah there are thousands that fit that description, but not here in Relleu.
Miguel was a nutcase, in the worst possible way. He was probably psycho or schizo or whatever psychiatric label fits. He doesn’t belong in prison. He belongs in a high security mental hospital and they should throw away the key.
He will always be a danger to women, because despite being vertically challenged, he was a very good looking man and could be charming when he wanted to be.
Obviously when I gave evidence against him in court, via video-link and through an interpreter who didn’t understand my Scottish accent, I have failed to convey my fears about his mental stability. I might have done better without an interpreter. El es loco y muy peligroso, says so much more that what the interpreter interpreted. Or what I actually said in English. I was only asked to account facts, not opinions.
Don’t they employ their own psychiatrists? The man is mad!
I’m a bit worried in case the Guardia are being cautious with me because he maybe issued death threats against me in prison. They haven’t said. But they’ll be back later today so I’ll ask them then.
They didn’t come back. Probably they will come back when I am out, as usual.
For those of you who don’t know, Miguel is the Spaniard who I had the misfortune to have a brief affair with, who took his revenge when I dumped him in the most horrible way. He came to my door in the middle of the night, and battered the living daylights out of me before throwing me out of the window (a 20 foot fall to the ground) resulting in a broken back and neck, after which he stood over me for 5 hours and refused to call for help for me, even though I was obviously in pain and in dire need of medical attention.
Thanks entirely to the skill of the surgical staff in Villajoyosa Hospital, I am rebuilt with steel plates and pins and have full control of my body again.
I will always be eternally grateful to the Royal British Legion here in Spain who helped me out with the loan of a wheelchair when I couldn’t walk, despite the fact I have never been in the military services though my ex-husband was at one time.
Nowadays, I am more or less fine. To all potential employers out there, I can do a lot more things than I am supposed to be able to do. I can lift and haul and drag things up stairs, but don’t make it part of my job description. I will do these things to help out but I will always be in pain later, in private. I cannot sit in the same position for long either without having severe consequences later, but I could still do it, at a push, at least until the arthritis sets in, as it probably will do some day, but not yet.
So I guess I am still employable. Anyone looking for a worker?
How about PRISON WARDER! I’d do a better job of these numpties that let Miguel go free.
CamBank again
Cam Bank surpassed itself today. I went there this morning. Before I went, I counted out the money I had left from a withdrawal yesterday. Then I used the hole-in-the-wall machine to withdraw more. Now it’s true I didn’t count how much the machine gave me. I trust machines implicitly, even at a time when the machine is not giving out receipts.
Immediately after pocketing the money, I entered the bank, and counted out the money I had to pay them. When I spoke to the teller, she informed me the money I had counted out was €50 short. I was surprised, but handed over another €50 anyway.
Then I went to a bar and put €10 in a cigarette machine.
Then I stopped at a cafe where friends of mine were sitting for a coffee. 10 minutes later I left to go the pharmacy to cash in a prescription, before returning to the post office, via the cafe.
Stood there in a queue counting out the money I had left. I’d worked out before I left the house I had enough to pay the two outstanding electricity bills, and have enough left to buy some groceries.
I was €50 short.
Now all my €50 notes were together, it is impossible to lose one on its own when they are all together. No-one dipped me.
Hmmmm....so I did hand over the right amount to the teller? It’s a strange mistake to make, especially for me. I have worked with cash for 30 years.
I returned to the bank, but by that time there was a queue which I chose not to wait in, because the teller couldn’t possibly say she’s made a mistake until she cashes up.
Tomorrow.....
Immediately after pocketing the money, I entered the bank, and counted out the money I had to pay them. When I spoke to the teller, she informed me the money I had counted out was €50 short. I was surprised, but handed over another €50 anyway.
Then I went to a bar and put €10 in a cigarette machine.
Then I stopped at a cafe where friends of mine were sitting for a coffee. 10 minutes later I left to go the pharmacy to cash in a prescription, before returning to the post office, via the cafe.
Stood there in a queue counting out the money I had left. I’d worked out before I left the house I had enough to pay the two outstanding electricity bills, and have enough left to buy some groceries.
I was €50 short.
Now all my €50 notes were together, it is impossible to lose one on its own when they are all together. No-one dipped me.
Hmmmm....so I did hand over the right amount to the teller? It’s a strange mistake to make, especially for me. I have worked with cash for 30 years.
I returned to the bank, but by that time there was a queue which I chose not to wait in, because the teller couldn’t possibly say she’s made a mistake until she cashes up.
Tomorrow.....
Monday, November 2, 2009
Another Water Update
I've got the papers from the Town Hall. I have a copy of the last bill, which apparently the bank are supposed to send to me, but don't. Anyway, armed with the last bill and the current bill, and a read of the meter, it seems to be correct.
Seems water is not as cheap as everyone says. I've spent all of this year trying to grow plants for a living, and all plants for sale need to be in a pot, and all plants in pots need watered much more than plants in the ground, because plants in pots can't send little mini-roots out in search of water.
I have to now really think about my pricing structure for selling these plants, which are now very expensive thanks to the water they needed. Or else think about doing something else for a living.
Hmmmmm!
Seems water is not as cheap as everyone says. I've spent all of this year trying to grow plants for a living, and all plants for sale need to be in a pot, and all plants in pots need watered much more than plants in the ground, because plants in pots can't send little mini-roots out in search of water.
I have to now really think about my pricing structure for selling these plants, which are now very expensive thanks to the water they needed. Or else think about doing something else for a living.
Hmmmmm!
40,000 cars in Relleu?
I am slow sometimes, and I miss the best gossip. I miss having a daily newspaper to read, but I am so sorry I missed this story when it hit the Press something like a year to 18 months ago.
Seems the alcalde had a bit of explaining to do when it transpired that 40,000 cars were registered to this area, which has a population of around 1,200.
So we all have 33 cars each.
Because we don't have a viable public transport service, we get a big discount on the annual road tax on cars. When I say 'we', I don't mean myself. I had to pay full price and when I asked in the Town Hall for a rebate, they said my papers were not in order and that I had to go to Alicante, personally, and get something or other changed. Not the best option when you live on a shoestring, and Alicante is going to use up half a tank of fuel, there and back.
Nw there is 'car hire' shop in the village, which is always shut when I walk past which admittedly isn't very often.
Apparently most of these cars were registered to this shop.
I doubt if a small car hire place would even have this many cars!
Hmm! I would like to know what happened after the scandal broke? Anyone care to comment?
Seems the alcalde had a bit of explaining to do when it transpired that 40,000 cars were registered to this area, which has a population of around 1,200.
So we all have 33 cars each.
Because we don't have a viable public transport service, we get a big discount on the annual road tax on cars. When I say 'we', I don't mean myself. I had to pay full price and when I asked in the Town Hall for a rebate, they said my papers were not in order and that I had to go to Alicante, personally, and get something or other changed. Not the best option when you live on a shoestring, and Alicante is going to use up half a tank of fuel, there and back.
Nw there is 'car hire' shop in the village, which is always shut when I walk past which admittedly isn't very often.
Apparently most of these cars were registered to this shop.
I doubt if a small car hire place would even have this many cars!
Hmm! I would like to know what happened after the scandal broke? Anyone care to comment?
Halloween
Well, Halloween has 'come and went'. Not sure that the English is very good in that sentence!
I'm sure loads of people had a great time, but me? I forgot about it.
No seriously, I forgot all about it. Don't ask me how when my favourite pub in the village was all decked out in the Halloween spirit, but I forgot.
So I had nothing in for the 'guisers', the children that rang my doorbell in full fancy dress costume looking for sweeties, nuts, apples, money, whatever to hand in that bracket. I didn't even have coins which is always a 'fall back' if for some reason I didn't get to the shops in preparation.
Rather than ignore the doorbell, after the first visitors, who my partner spoke to, I personally replied and apologised to the kids for not having anything in to give them.
Kids, in my experience, can accept that. What they hate is people telling them to 'scram' or people ignoring the doorbell.
So why is my door, the front of my house, even my upstairs terrace which is set back from the street covered in eggshells and the slimey remains of the yolk inside?
Halloweeen was two days ago, but I only noticed it today. I knew the police force didn't let me in for something! Wasn't just my height, eh? My powers of observation are lacking something.
Anyway, my neighbours assure me that Sky informed them on whatever TV program, that this is a common thing in England now. If you don't give the kids something for appearing, none of this trick or treating stuff, they want sweets apparently, and just for turning up in costume, not for singing a song or repeating a rhyme as we had to do as kids, and this is your punishment for not giving them anything.
All I can think is that they, or their parents, have more money than sense. Eggs aren't that cheap! They must have wasted six on my house!
And all good thoughts I had of making sure I had stuff in next year for them have gone right out of the window! Next year I'll have CCTV and see the little B's in court!
PS I know for sure these kids were not Spanish, but English. I hope their parents read this and feel ashamed.
I'm sure loads of people had a great time, but me? I forgot about it.
No seriously, I forgot all about it. Don't ask me how when my favourite pub in the village was all decked out in the Halloween spirit, but I forgot.
So I had nothing in for the 'guisers', the children that rang my doorbell in full fancy dress costume looking for sweeties, nuts, apples, money, whatever to hand in that bracket. I didn't even have coins which is always a 'fall back' if for some reason I didn't get to the shops in preparation.
Rather than ignore the doorbell, after the first visitors, who my partner spoke to, I personally replied and apologised to the kids for not having anything in to give them.
Kids, in my experience, can accept that. What they hate is people telling them to 'scram' or people ignoring the doorbell.
So why is my door, the front of my house, even my upstairs terrace which is set back from the street covered in eggshells and the slimey remains of the yolk inside?
Halloweeen was two days ago, but I only noticed it today. I knew the police force didn't let me in for something! Wasn't just my height, eh? My powers of observation are lacking something.
Anyway, my neighbours assure me that Sky informed them on whatever TV program, that this is a common thing in England now. If you don't give the kids something for appearing, none of this trick or treating stuff, they want sweets apparently, and just for turning up in costume, not for singing a song or repeating a rhyme as we had to do as kids, and this is your punishment for not giving them anything.
All I can think is that they, or their parents, have more money than sense. Eggs aren't that cheap! They must have wasted six on my house!
And all good thoughts I had of making sure I had stuff in next year for them have gone right out of the window! Next year I'll have CCTV and see the little B's in court!
PS I know for sure these kids were not Spanish, but English. I hope their parents read this and feel ashamed.
Sunday, October 4, 2009
Water Update
I went into the council building last week to ask about the water bill, armed with a bit of paper with the current water meter reading. so I could make a comparison.
Anyway, the young man with the computer said, after shuffling a few papers around, that I must return and talk to Teresa who had all the facturas (bills).
Funnily enough met Teresa later who told me all the papers were in fact, in front of this youngster. When I say 'youngster' he was probably 25-30 years old.
Age is relative, ok?
Hope to sort things tomorrow....
Anyway, the young man with the computer said, after shuffling a few papers around, that I must return and talk to Teresa who had all the facturas (bills).
Funnily enough met Teresa later who told me all the papers were in fact, in front of this youngster. When I say 'youngster' he was probably 25-30 years old.
Age is relative, ok?
Hope to sort things tomorrow....
Puupy update
Looks like we are stuck with Golfo, the puppy. He's so cute, but no-one has shown an interest in taking him on.
Strange thing about Golfo (Spanish for rascal) is that he the first puppy I have ever seen been born. As a child I saw plenty rabbits born, as an adult I saw plenty kittens, but it's taken till now to see a puppy born.
I was happy when he was rehomed at 4 weeks, but less happy when word filtered back that his new owners couldn't cope due to work committments etc, so I agreed to take him back.
Every day there is a 'present' on the floor. More than one normally.Yuk!
But hey he's a BABY; he doesn't know yet.
So we now have 4 dogs. Tanya is wee git, I know now that she has taken to shitting on the floor so we could blame Pulga, the Yorkie we took in from a Benidorm family. She is a lovely dog, but psychotic. She wants one to one attention and when that is not available, she openly flirts with my neighbours and makes us out to be the baddies. 'Oh how can anyone think the worst of Tanya, the perfect dog?'
I need to educate my partner on this too. Tanya is sweet but not the bees knees.
Having said that, Tanya (who is ours forever no matter what I say now) is a good 'childrens' dog. She doesn't bite. She's great at chasing insects. I know as a gardener insects are good, well some of them are, but she doesn't differentiate. I'm sure if Tanya were around the time our house was infiltrated with a line of ants, she'd have scattered them quicker than the insecticide I finally felt compulsed to use.
Anyway, enough of Tanya, Pulga is the Yorkie he brought home a few months ago. I liked Pulga, especially once he'd been treated with Frontline, and after I'd had to completely disinfect our bedroom to rid the house of the ticks he was hoaching with when he first arrived.
Oh but Pulga is worth MONEY. He's pedigree. Fuck that. He still costs to feed.
LOL
That leaves Shadow. She is a pedigree alsation, and very very clean. She won my immediate dedication for that alone. I'll never part with her; but on the downside my house is full of dog hair.
I had the same thing with Mac, my border collie that I brought here from Scotland. Hairs everywhere. But in Mac I had a dog who was there for me, who did as he was told, when he was told, who was spotless in the house, he was my friend for life, or so I thought.
He had a thing about jumping into any parked, or temporarily stopped car. And one day, while out walking he disappeared in a built up area. Almost certainly he jumped into a car.
I advertised his disappearance. I checked the local dog pound. But he never turned up.
Thing with Mac was, he was so clever he was bilingual....hey come on this is a dog???
Clean, bilingual, faithful, obedient. The perfect pet.
Someone else has him now and I would really appreciate his return. I reckon he must be 7 or 8 years old now.
Strange thing about Golfo (Spanish for rascal) is that he the first puppy I have ever seen been born. As a child I saw plenty rabbits born, as an adult I saw plenty kittens, but it's taken till now to see a puppy born.
I was happy when he was rehomed at 4 weeks, but less happy when word filtered back that his new owners couldn't cope due to work committments etc, so I agreed to take him back.
Every day there is a 'present' on the floor. More than one normally.Yuk!
But hey he's a BABY; he doesn't know yet.
So we now have 4 dogs. Tanya is wee git, I know now that she has taken to shitting on the floor so we could blame Pulga, the Yorkie we took in from a Benidorm family. She is a lovely dog, but psychotic. She wants one to one attention and when that is not available, she openly flirts with my neighbours and makes us out to be the baddies. 'Oh how can anyone think the worst of Tanya, the perfect dog?'
I need to educate my partner on this too. Tanya is sweet but not the bees knees.
Having said that, Tanya (who is ours forever no matter what I say now) is a good 'childrens' dog. She doesn't bite. She's great at chasing insects. I know as a gardener insects are good, well some of them are, but she doesn't differentiate. I'm sure if Tanya were around the time our house was infiltrated with a line of ants, she'd have scattered them quicker than the insecticide I finally felt compulsed to use.
Anyway, enough of Tanya, Pulga is the Yorkie he brought home a few months ago. I liked Pulga, especially once he'd been treated with Frontline, and after I'd had to completely disinfect our bedroom to rid the house of the ticks he was hoaching with when he first arrived.
Oh but Pulga is worth MONEY. He's pedigree. Fuck that. He still costs to feed.
LOL
That leaves Shadow. She is a pedigree alsation, and very very clean. She won my immediate dedication for that alone. I'll never part with her; but on the downside my house is full of dog hair.
I had the same thing with Mac, my border collie that I brought here from Scotland. Hairs everywhere. But in Mac I had a dog who was there for me, who did as he was told, when he was told, who was spotless in the house, he was my friend for life, or so I thought.
He had a thing about jumping into any parked, or temporarily stopped car. And one day, while out walking he disappeared in a built up area. Almost certainly he jumped into a car.
I advertised his disappearance. I checked the local dog pound. But he never turned up.
Thing with Mac was, he was so clever he was bilingual....hey come on this is a dog???
Clean, bilingual, faithful, obedient. The perfect pet.
Someone else has him now and I would really appreciate his return. I reckon he must be 7 or 8 years old now.
Saturday, September 26, 2009
Town Fountain
The Town Council in their wisdom did away with the only decent parking space this side of town, the one next to the new Consum supermarket, and built a couple of useless flowerbeds centred by a fountain.
Everyone wanted the car park. Why was there no apparent public consultation? We all pay enough in housing taxation - up from approx €80 to €340. Now there are spaces for about 4 cars if you are lucky.
Is this another scam to line the alcalde's pockets?
A useless fountain for God's sake! Oh no, they have connected its water supply to mine, that is why my bill is so high (see 'Water')
Cute Puppy
Tanya
PupFree to good home (local area only), this little fella is around 8 weeks old and is the first born of Tanya's puppies. He was rehomed but the new owner wasn't taking good care of him, so we took him back. He's cute, but I can't keep him on account of having three other dogs. We also have a Yorkie that I am thinking of putting up for sale on ebay as a stud. He's a year old and comes with full papers. He is interested in getting Tanya in the family way again (and no he is not the Dad of her puppies, look at Curo (Pedro's dog) for that, and I really don't have the money to get any of them neutered.
Telefonica
While I'm here I really can't miss out Telefonica.
They have the monopoly on phone line installations.There are plenty of phone suppliers out there, but only one for fixing you up in the first place.
Well, I have waited 6 YEARS and still don't have a phone, despite reapplying last year and finally getting some kind of response from them, where they wanted to me to send them some certificates to prove the housing here is legal.
Got the required papers from the Town Hall, then sent them off.
They phoned my partner a few weeks later so say we couldn't have a phone because there were NO LINES!
Duh!
He pointed out that there were lines in the campo, a matter of a few metres away and could be seen from the window.
About two months later, two or three new poles went up, in a direct line from the nearest pole on the campo, the final one being actually on the estate. Wow! I was so excited! A phone line at last.
Sadly, no. They have not yet been connected.
I didn't want to pay Satellite Dave €500 or whatever he charges, plus €30 a month or so for satellite internet access. Everyone tells me the line is slow and is always dropping, and that he doesn't reply to calls for help.
I asked both Movistar and Vodafone, the two big phone providers, for 3G dongles, but both said 3G wasn't available here.
Finally my Spanish neighbour told me, only this summer, that Orange had 3G internet access and so I signed up on an 18 month contract at €39 a month, but with the frist three months discounted.
I am pleased to report their access is GREAT, if a little bit on the expensive side. All the providers seem to want €39 + VAT. We need some real competition here in Spain, like we have in the UK.
I'm told Euphony (http://www.euphony.es/) is good too; they use the Orange network.
They have the monopoly on phone line installations.There are plenty of phone suppliers out there, but only one for fixing you up in the first place.
Well, I have waited 6 YEARS and still don't have a phone, despite reapplying last year and finally getting some kind of response from them, where they wanted to me to send them some certificates to prove the housing here is legal.
Got the required papers from the Town Hall, then sent them off.
They phoned my partner a few weeks later so say we couldn't have a phone because there were NO LINES!
Duh!
He pointed out that there were lines in the campo, a matter of a few metres away and could be seen from the window.
About two months later, two or three new poles went up, in a direct line from the nearest pole on the campo, the final one being actually on the estate. Wow! I was so excited! A phone line at last.
Sadly, no. They have not yet been connected.
I didn't want to pay Satellite Dave €500 or whatever he charges, plus €30 a month or so for satellite internet access. Everyone tells me the line is slow and is always dropping, and that he doesn't reply to calls for help.
I asked both Movistar and Vodafone, the two big phone providers, for 3G dongles, but both said 3G wasn't available here.
Finally my Spanish neighbour told me, only this summer, that Orange had 3G internet access and so I signed up on an 18 month contract at €39 a month, but with the frist three months discounted.
I am pleased to report their access is GREAT, if a little bit on the expensive side. All the providers seem to want €39 + VAT. We need some real competition here in Spain, like we have in the UK.
I'm told Euphony (http://www.euphony.es/) is good too; they use the Orange network.
CamBank
Another bug-bear. The banks in this country are robbing bastards. Every month I used to pay in enough to cover my mortgage and a bit more besides, and every month they phoned me up telling me I was short.
I couldn't make head nor tail of where the money actually went, and the director wasn't exactly helpful either. I had to ask how much my insurance was per year, as each year they seem to take out anything between 700 and 1500 euro under its' heading.
It's 354. What is the rest for then? Blank silence.
My mortgage is really really high just now, at a time when Europe has her lowest interest rates ever. Am told it will stay high until November as that is my month for them changing it. What a rip off!
Also my ex-husband's name is on the account, for which they charge a non-resident's payment goodness knows how often. Well, he is my ex. He is not in Spain. Can his name be taken off the account?
No. He has to come here to Spain and sign a form to be taken off. It cannot be posted 2000 miles for him to sign. We separated 5 years ago, for God's Sake! He's not coming back!
I also have to pay non-resident's tax.
They will only give me a resident's account if I take myself off to Alicante and queue up for hours at the Police station or wherever, and get my fingerprints taken, along with a copy of my passport and NIE number and God knows what else, unless the system has got a lot easier recently which no-one has told me about?
But Spain officially did away with Resident's Cards in 2003 or thereabouts. You could still get one, but as a member of a European Country already, it was no longer a requirement.
By the way, I have a Banco Santander account (Resident) which I only had to fill in a lot of paperwork at the bank to get. I've had no problems at all from them. They obviously care about their customers - more power to their elbow. Unfortunately, they do not have a branch here in Relleu. They should open one - they'd get a lot of business.
I couldn't make head nor tail of where the money actually went, and the director wasn't exactly helpful either. I had to ask how much my insurance was per year, as each year they seem to take out anything between 700 and 1500 euro under its' heading.
It's 354. What is the rest for then? Blank silence.
My mortgage is really really high just now, at a time when Europe has her lowest interest rates ever. Am told it will stay high until November as that is my month for them changing it. What a rip off!
Also my ex-husband's name is on the account, for which they charge a non-resident's payment goodness knows how often. Well, he is my ex. He is not in Spain. Can his name be taken off the account?
No. He has to come here to Spain and sign a form to be taken off. It cannot be posted 2000 miles for him to sign. We separated 5 years ago, for God's Sake! He's not coming back!
I also have to pay non-resident's tax.
They will only give me a resident's account if I take myself off to Alicante and queue up for hours at the Police station or wherever, and get my fingerprints taken, along with a copy of my passport and NIE number and God knows what else, unless the system has got a lot easier recently which no-one has told me about?
But Spain officially did away with Resident's Cards in 2003 or thereabouts. You could still get one, but as a member of a European Country already, it was no longer a requirement.
By the way, I have a Banco Santander account (Resident) which I only had to fill in a lot of paperwork at the bank to get. I've had no problems at all from them. They obviously care about their customers - more power to their elbow. Unfortunately, they do not have a branch here in Relleu. They should open one - they'd get a lot of business.
Water
Still to deal with this issue...
Water is incredibly cheap here. Bills are in the region of €25-30 per quarter. When I say bills, I have yet to see one...they prefer the option of taking the money straight out of your bank account without ever seeing the actual bill.
Anyway, I have an issue with my bank (Cam) and so the account now lies empty, while I pay my horrendous mortgage in cash every month.
So it was no surprise really to get a phone call from the Town Hall (Ayuntamiento - not sure of the spelling) to say my last bill had been returned unpaid, and would I please set it up again so that they can collect. Told them this is not going to happen, but they now want me to open a new bank account so they can rob it for water. Not likely.
Anyway, this latest bill is apparently for €336 something. Eh???
How come? Told I must have a water leak, but still have to pay the bill. Well, if I've a leak I'm sure I'd have noticed. This amount of water would fill a swimming pool several times, and mine is empty and has been for long enough since the pump broke 4 years ago.
More likely someone has made a mistake while reading the meter. Have taken note of the current meter reading but of course have no bill to compare it to.
So when the fiestas are over I will need to visit the Town Hall and no doubt have more problems when suddenly the valencianos will forget how to speak castellano as they do on a regular basis when they don't like what you are saying or can't be bothered including you.
Water is incredibly cheap here. Bills are in the region of €25-30 per quarter. When I say bills, I have yet to see one...they prefer the option of taking the money straight out of your bank account without ever seeing the actual bill.
Anyway, I have an issue with my bank (Cam) and so the account now lies empty, while I pay my horrendous mortgage in cash every month.
So it was no surprise really to get a phone call from the Town Hall (Ayuntamiento - not sure of the spelling) to say my last bill had been returned unpaid, and would I please set it up again so that they can collect. Told them this is not going to happen, but they now want me to open a new bank account so they can rob it for water. Not likely.
Anyway, this latest bill is apparently for €336 something. Eh???
How come? Told I must have a water leak, but still have to pay the bill. Well, if I've a leak I'm sure I'd have noticed. This amount of water would fill a swimming pool several times, and mine is empty and has been for long enough since the pump broke 4 years ago.
More likely someone has made a mistake while reading the meter. Have taken note of the current meter reading but of course have no bill to compare it to.
So when the fiestas are over I will need to visit the Town Hall and no doubt have more problems when suddenly the valencianos will forget how to speak castellano as they do on a regular basis when they don't like what you are saying or can't be bothered including you.
Alcalde
What does the mayor (alcalde) think he's doing? He asks for donations to the Fiesta Fund. Hmm...the word 'donation' is voluntary, I think?
So we didn't pay this year. We simply don't have the money. We are living on a shoestring. Other years I have paid and not gone because I was working, this year I have all the time in the world.
We went for the free beer and sardines. Chance to eat if nothing else. It's been a bad week and there is nothing in the cupboard.
Only the alcalde was doing his barman stint, and refused to serve us, citing our non-payment. Did he do that to everyone who hadn't paid? What about all the tourists, or visitors from out of town?
Spoke to loads of people, Spanish and English alike. He has never done this before apparently, and loads of people didn't give donations either. Loads of others did of course.
Anyway, ended up having a lovely afternoon with people sending drinks and food our way, so thanks to the good people of Relleu for restoring my faith and making me feel a little better, as well as drunk as a skunk!
Missed the fire festival at 2am or whenever it was, and not sure if I will visit the fiesta again this weekend seeing as my presence really isn't wanted, as far as the Ayuntamiento is concerned.
Today is the free paella. Missed it already.
So we didn't pay this year. We simply don't have the money. We are living on a shoestring. Other years I have paid and not gone because I was working, this year I have all the time in the world.
We went for the free beer and sardines. Chance to eat if nothing else. It's been a bad week and there is nothing in the cupboard.
Only the alcalde was doing his barman stint, and refused to serve us, citing our non-payment. Did he do that to everyone who hadn't paid? What about all the tourists, or visitors from out of town?
Spoke to loads of people, Spanish and English alike. He has never done this before apparently, and loads of people didn't give donations either. Loads of others did of course.
Anyway, ended up having a lovely afternoon with people sending drinks and food our way, so thanks to the good people of Relleu for restoring my faith and making me feel a little better, as well as drunk as a skunk!
Missed the fire festival at 2am or whenever it was, and not sure if I will visit the fiesta again this weekend seeing as my presence really isn't wanted, as far as the Ayuntamiento is concerned.
Today is the free paella. Missed it already.
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