It was just one of those days. You will all know what I mean when I say this, as we all have them from time to time. It was one of those days when something that might have been relatively straightforward in the UK, could potentially turn into an expensive expat nightmare. Most expats will …more

All nationalities have their own funny little ways of doing things, and the British are no exception to the rule. Indeed, I sometimes think that, as a nation, we tend to go out of our way to be awkward and to do things rather differently from the rest of Continental Europe. This is not deliberate …more

These five words are perhaps the five most powerful and significant words spoken by Pope Francis since he became leader of the Catholic Church. Although I am not a Catholic, I do not automatically respect the leader of any Church or organisation, unless they have earned it through not only their words but, most importantly, …more

Recently witnessing a nasty accident on the motorway in Gran Canaria, where fortunately all the passengers survived unscathed, made me ask some questions about the cause. Apparently, one tire had exploded, which was due to the age of the tire and failure of the rubber. For me, this was an unknown phenomenon. Although I am …more

Well, its that time of the year again, and after all the goodwill has evaporated, the tinsel packed away for another year, the new diet started and you have considered suicide after receiving your credit card statement, you may be planning a holiday to get over it all. How about a holiday in the sun? …more

I’m often asked about policing in Spain and the Canary Islands and how it compares with that in the UK. I usually avoid writing about policing issues, as much is subjective and depends upon personal experiences and encounters with the law. However, based on my work as a journalist, as well as many reports and …more

I have just returned from a wonderful two weeks in the UK. As usual, it was good to meet up with family and friends once again, as well as doing a little shopping in some of our favorite stores to buy a few of those special treats that most expats crave for. However, I also …more

As all true Brits know, it is impossible to get a decent cup of tea abroad. Many have tried over the years, and failed miserably. Tea is the true Brit’s favorite beverage, closely followed by a large gin and tonic, and is one of the reasons that expat life fails miserably for some people. No …more