With the summer weather upon us we know that many people are back in properties that they might not have visited for some time. Alongside the need to do some basic maintenance you are also maybe thinking of making some more significant improvements.

Home improvements in Spain require a licence. This can be the case even when the improvements can seem relatively moderate and you might not think twice about doing it in your own country without permission. In this article we explain about the ‘obra menor’ and the ‘obra mayor’, why and how you need to apply and what will happen if you don’t:

We were delighted to get the summer off to a good start with our event at the Alma Restaurant and Beach Club in May. Now we know many of our ÁbacoClub members are enjoying visits from family or are travelling themselves. During this busy and very hot time of year we’ll be taking a break but we’re already preparing for more organised events as things cool down a little.

In the meantime, you can do some exploring of your own. Why not take this opportunity to read of some of the articles on the AbacoClub website. In this article, ‘The most admired coves on the Costa Blanca’, we invite you to visit some of the less well-known seaside spots where you can take a cool dip in the clear waters of a ‘cala’:

 
The most admired coves on the Costa Blanca

 
The summer is the time of year when some people start to think about buying a property. This might be as an investment, a holiday home or permanent residence.
Whatever your intentions it is important that you choose the right people to help you. It can seem like there are cheaper options out there but, beware, not everyone is as they seem, or as they advertise.

In this article we explain how to spot the imposter when it comes to conveyancing:

Getting the right insurance can feel like a bit of a mine field. It’s also different again when you’re taking it out in another country. In this article we explain some of the ways in which insurance operates slightly differently to what it might do in your own country:

The Mar Menor is a coastal saltwater lagoon in the Costa Calida. It is the largest saltwater lake found in Europe and is a popular place for people looking either for a holiday home or somewhere to live permanently. David Ruiz provides more information about the location, its food and what you can see there:

It turned out to be a real life rescue story as the American artistic swimmer Anita Álvarez was pulled out from the bottom of the swimming pool at the 19th FINA World Championships. Saved by her Spanish coach, Andrea Fuentes, the rescue attracted much attention partly because of the spectacular images that were possible to capture.

Fuentes was already a legend prior to the rescue being at the top of the leader board when it comes to Spanish synchronized swimming. Now she’ll also go down in history as a result of her spectacular rescue.

An interview with Anita Álvarez:

Andrea Fuentes is critical of the response time of the official life savers:

El País tells us about a new version of the classic tale, this time by Guillermo del Toro. Traditional tales often deal with deep and sometimes disturbing themes, and Pinocchio also reflects some of the darker sides to life. In this version, Guillermo aims to bring out the context in which the story is set – Mussolini’s Italy. It’s carefully geared to an adult market and will be released in December on Netflix.

 
Guillermo del Toro’s ‘Pinocchio’: First look reveals dark twist on classic tale

We’ve had some strange weather recently – going from lots of rain in Spain to soaring temperatures in a matter of weeks. Now, Seville is set to name and classify the heatwaves in a similar way to how we name tropical storms. The idea is that by
doing this governments will be able to plan for and address the implications when the mercury starts to climb:

The traditional Spanish fan is not only practical but can be a very important accessory too. It’s for a good reason that you see Spanish women carrying their fan around with them – it works. But it can also be a spectacular addition to your wardrobe.

A Dior catwalk show provided the latest opportunity to demonstrate the versatility of this portable aircon. The show, which took place in Seville, had a Spanish theme to it, with the hand-held fan playing the starring role. And it’s not just confined to women. David Beckham has also been seen recently sporting his own version.

 
‘Democratic and a great way to flirt’: wave hello to the handheld fan

The Spanish fan isn’t only for decoration and keeping cool, it can also be used as a method of communication. In this article they include a brief history of the fan along with how to decipher the fan’s secret codes:

 
The Abanico: Spanish Fan Culture

I’m sure they serve a purpose in life (along with cockroaches) but it’s hard to feel the love for mosquitos. There are no end of remedies on the shelves to ward them off and deal with the bites when this doesn’t work but now Murcia Today suggest that the solution could be in our very own back gardens. In this article they recommend five garden plants to help keep your patio mosquito free.

 
5 Garden Plants That Will Keep Mosquitos At Bay

This is the time of year when many Spanish towns and cities are celebrating with Moors and Christians Fiestas. Of course, these are open to anyone to attend, although you might want to get there early to have a good view of the parades. If you prefer something organised for you then you might want to take a look at the EuroTourGuide website. For example, they are currently advertising their trip to Santa Pola:

 
Coach Tour 3rd September 2022 Santa Pola Moors & Christians

It’s not just the Moors and Christians, EuroTourGuide have lots of other excursions that you might want to join in with:

The Moors and Christians parades have a long and interesting history. You can read more about the festival in Alcoy and Villajoyosa here:

We would welcome any suggestions for future themes you would like us to cover either in the newsletter or in an article on Spain Explained.

Please let us know by email at newsletter@abacoadvisers.com.

Thank you!