Merkel and Cameron.
#46
Banned
Joined: Feb 2008
Location: Vejer de la Fra., Cadiz
Posts: 7,653
Re: Merkel and Cameron.
"A Trophy Horse" could be one of a number of types, but is typically owned by the Spanish Upper Class who love nothing better than to ride and parade it at every possible opportunity such as fiestas, all done up to the nines, in front of less fortunate souls.
I can't believe you haven't seen them around.
Not quite sure what they taste like, but having eaten other horsemeat before, I probably wouldn't turn my nose up at a slice or two.
I can't believe you haven't seen them around.
Not quite sure what they taste like, but having eaten other horsemeat before, I probably wouldn't turn my nose up at a slice or two.
Horsemeat is fine, I have no problem with that.
#47
Banned
Joined: Feb 2008
Location: Vejer de la Fra., Cadiz
Posts: 7,653
Re: Merkel and Cameron.
I watched an interesting programme on Spanish television earlier, showing people growing most of their own food on their allotments, and using co-operatives to share things you would otherwise have to buy.
The Spanish climate and people friendliness will undoubtedly help them through the hard times that loom ahead. Looking around my garden, a typical foreigner's garden where nothing useful is grown apart from oranges, pomegranates and apricots, and that's through accident; it could easily be transformed.
You can grow everything you need because of the marvellous weather and soil, though I'm not sure about the soil, but I'm sure I could make a few chickens feel at home too.
And could I turn my swimming pool into a trout farm? And I've got room for solar panels too. And perhaps a couple of small wind turbines? They'd be spinning around at the moment.
The Spanish climate and people friendliness will undoubtedly help them through the hard times that loom ahead. Looking around my garden, a typical foreigner's garden where nothing useful is grown apart from oranges, pomegranates and apricots, and that's through accident; it could easily be transformed.
You can grow everything you need because of the marvellous weather and soil, though I'm not sure about the soil, but I'm sure I could make a few chickens feel at home too.
And could I turn my swimming pool into a trout farm? And I've got room for solar panels too. And perhaps a couple of small wind turbines? They'd be spinning around at the moment.
I would certainly argue that only water heating is worth it, and even then the payback period is certain to be measured in years, more than 5 for the average household.
Wind power, if used to generate power, it will give sod all for a domestic system, and the cost of a bank of batteries to store it would turn your hair white. Now, a better use would be to use the turbines to run the power thru a water tank heater to heat water again so as to have more het in the colder, less sunny months. Again tho, cost......
Trout farming, hell, the cost of pellets, and the fish have to be eaten very young, because trout pellets are sh'it food at best, and the animals get very flabby if allowed to grow.
'The Good Life' ain't really all that practical, not with the high cost of watering, fertilising and storing.
#48
Re: Merkel and Cameron.
A lot of ppl.look at the good life and self sufficiency through rose tinted glasses until they get down to it and really find out what it's all about.
If they are inexperienced they can soon learn some very expensive lessons,whether it be in the UK or here in Spain.
Not only that but it's never quite as simple or as easy as it may appear at first sight.
Some of the older more experienced Spanish here with odd bits of land tend to know what it's all about and usually come out of it on the right side with the aid of selling a little surplus to the local co-operativas, but it still requires a fair amount of dedication especially where livestock are concerned.
I doubt if many newcomers or even younger generation Spanish have that same level of dedication and know how to make a go of it, but I can only wish the best of luck to those that try.
If they are inexperienced they can soon learn some very expensive lessons,whether it be in the UK or here in Spain.
Not only that but it's never quite as simple or as easy as it may appear at first sight.
Some of the older more experienced Spanish here with odd bits of land tend to know what it's all about and usually come out of it on the right side with the aid of selling a little surplus to the local co-operativas, but it still requires a fair amount of dedication especially where livestock are concerned.
I doubt if many newcomers or even younger generation Spanish have that same level of dedication and know how to make a go of it, but I can only wish the best of luck to those that try.
#49
Banned
Joined: Feb 2008
Location: Vejer de la Fra., Cadiz
Posts: 7,653
Re: Merkel and Cameron.
A lot of ppl.look at the good life and self sufficiency through rose tinted glasses until they get down to it and really find out what it's all about.
If they are inexperienced they can soon learn some very expensive lessons,whether it be in the UK or here in Spain.
Not only that but it's never quite as simple or as easy as it may appear at first sight.
Some of the older more experienced Spanish here with odd bits of land tend to know what it's all about and usually come out of it on the right side with the aid of selling a little surplus to the local co-operativas, but it still requires a fair amount of dedication especially where livestock are concerned.
I doubt if many newcomers or even younger generation Spanish have that same level of dedication and know how to make a go of it, but I can only wish the best of luck to those that try.
If they are inexperienced they can soon learn some very expensive lessons,whether it be in the UK or here in Spain.
Not only that but it's never quite as simple or as easy as it may appear at first sight.
Some of the older more experienced Spanish here with odd bits of land tend to know what it's all about and usually come out of it on the right side with the aid of selling a little surplus to the local co-operativas, but it still requires a fair amount of dedication especially where livestock are concerned.
I doubt if many newcomers or even younger generation Spanish have that same level of dedication and know how to make a go of it, but I can only wish the best of luck to those that try.
Plus either it all dies, or you have a horrendous surplus. When I have the latter I just offer it to the neighbours and get the odd bag of stuff in return.
#50
Re: Merkel and Cameron.
From my own paltry experience here, I have discovered that it's seldom worth growing stuff when the costs of pesticides, fungicides, herbicide, water, fertiliser et al are all accounted for.
Plus either it all dies, or you have a horrendous surplus. When I have the latter I just offer it to the neighbours and get the odd bag of stuff in return.
Plus either it all dies, or you have a horrendous surplus. When I have the latter I just offer it to the neighbours and get the odd bag of stuff in return.
Not being here permanently myself there's little point in me doing too much, but the older Spanish guys here advise me on what to grow because it grows easily with the least amount of expense and maintenance and what to avoid like the plague, not simply because it won't grow, but because it's usually far more trouble than its worth and can also cause complications elsewhere.
I've always found there advice to be invaluable and always right on the mark despite my own inclination to go my own way in the early days.
If you have any such neighbours down your way, it's not a bad idea to keep well in with them and do as they do.
After all they've likely been doing it succesfully for generations and usually without the assistance of many of todays very expensive artificial aids.
#51
Banned
Joined: Feb 2008
Location: Vejer de la Fra., Cadiz
Posts: 7,653
Re: Merkel and Cameron.
Well as I said there are plenty of experienced older generation Spanish who do seem to do ok and make it all worthwhile.
Not being here permanently myself there's little point in me doing too much, but the older Spanish guys here advise me on what to grow because it grows easily with the least amount of expense and maintenance and what to avoid like the plague, not simply because it won't grow, but because it's usually far more trouble than its worth and can also cause complications elsewhere.
I've always found there advice to be invaluable and always right on the mark despite my own inclination to go my own way in the early days.
If you have any such neighbours down your way, it's not a bad idea to keep well in with them and do as they do.
After all they've likely been doing it succesfully for generations and usually without the assistance of many of todays very expensive artificial aids.
Not being here permanently myself there's little point in me doing too much, but the older Spanish guys here advise me on what to grow because it grows easily with the least amount of expense and maintenance and what to avoid like the plague, not simply because it won't grow, but because it's usually far more trouble than its worth and can also cause complications elsewhere.
I've always found there advice to be invaluable and always right on the mark despite my own inclination to go my own way in the early days.
If you have any such neighbours down your way, it's not a bad idea to keep well in with them and do as they do.
After all they've likely been doing it succesfully for generations and usually without the assistance of many of todays very expensive artificial aids.
#52
Banned
Joined: Dec 2006
Location: Living in a good place
Posts: 8,824
Re: Merkel and Cameron.
We stopped bothering some years ago as our water was expensive. Suppose it's ok if you have a well. Had some super tomatoes but they were all ready together and was getting a carrier bag a day off them. At he same time they were only 50 cents per kilo in the shops! Then we had some large melons and they all withered and died suddenly.
#53
Re: Merkel and Cameron.
I've got fed up with politics too. I went to the dentist last week because a front false tooth, I don't know the technical term, but I've had it for 20 years, a sort of crown fitted on a gold stint, had come loose.
My dentist, a money-grabbing, highly qualified Scouser with no heart, took it from me and quoted me 900 Euros for a crown, or 250 Euros for a 'plate'. I've now got a gap, which doesn't bother me too much, and I'm debating whether vanity will make me spend a grand to fill it, I'm not having a plate.
The Scouser kept the gold stint and I didn't realise it until after I left. I know Scousers usually vote Labour, but this one's got a posh Mercedes parked outside his surgery so he might be an exception.
My dentist, a money-grabbing, highly qualified Scouser with no heart, took it from me and quoted me 900 Euros for a crown, or 250 Euros for a 'plate'. I've now got a gap, which doesn't bother me too much, and I'm debating whether vanity will make me spend a grand to fill it, I'm not having a plate.
The Scouser kept the gold stint and I didn't realise it until after I left. I know Scousers usually vote Labour, but this one's got a posh Mercedes parked outside his surgery so he might be an exception.
#54
Re: Merkel and Cameron.
I watched the news conference from Berlin today, and though I'm not an expert on body language, it was obvious that far from being good friends, they patently don't even like each other.
The spectacle of the Old Etonian Eurosceptic with his begging bowl, and the chubby Hausfrau, a former communist from East Germany and now the most powerful lady in Europe made me laugh. While Cameron intently stared at Merkel, she never looked in his direction and frequently used the Spanish dismissive arm motion as though flicking away an insect.
I don't know what's going to happen next, I just pray for the pound going up, but to suggest that we are good friends with Germany is a myth.
The spectacle of the Old Etonian Eurosceptic with his begging bowl, and the chubby Hausfrau, a former communist from East Germany and now the most powerful lady in Europe made me laugh. While Cameron intently stared at Merkel, she never looked in his direction and frequently used the Spanish dismissive arm motion as though flicking away an insect.
I don't know what's going to happen next, I just pray for the pound going up, but to suggest that we are good friends with Germany is a myth.
#56
Re: Merkel and Cameron.
C'mon yous blues.
Looks like your showers taking a pasting bil,
Quite right too.
Looks like your showers taking a pasting bil,
Quite right too.
#57
Lost in BE Cyberspace
Thread Starter
Joined: May 2009
Location: Alicante province
Posts: 5,753
Re: Merkel and Cameron.
It looks like the second biggest chunk of Europe has just turned blue, with a whacking majority. The markets like the colour, so it might quieten them for a time.
It rhymes with Heseltine, but I'm not going down that road, not at this time of night, I get paid in pounds and if the pound goes down, so do I.
It rhymes with Heseltine, but I'm not going down that road, not at this time of night, I get paid in pounds and if the pound goes down, so do I.
#58
Banned
Joined: Feb 2008
Location: Vejer de la Fra., Cadiz
Posts: 7,653
Re: Merkel and Cameron.
Of course you do realise what the rules are, don't you? Your side blamed everything on the left and ZP.
Fair enough. If the improvements are not swift and impressive, I will be pointing out that I told you so, and everything, but everything wrong in Spain will now be the fault of the PP.
Fair enough?
#59
Re: Merkel and Cameron.
And you are so right. After the inadequacies and rubbish from the left, now will arise a golden age under Rajoy.
Of course you do realise what the rules are, don't you? Your side blamed everything on the left and ZP.
Fair enough. If the improvements are not swift and impressive, I will be pointing out that I told you so, and everything, but everything wrong in Spain will now be the fault of the PP.
Fair enough?
Of course you do realise what the rules are, don't you? Your side blamed everything on the left and ZP.
Fair enough. If the improvements are not swift and impressive, I will be pointing out that I told you so, and everything, but everything wrong in Spain will now be the fault of the PP.
Fair enough?
I am sure that you are as aware as everyone else that it will take at least 4 or 5 years and maybe nearer 10 to clean up the mess the socialists have left behind, both in the UK and Spain, by which time no doubt they'll be ready to come back into power and piss it all away again.
Unfortunately something of a never ending vicious circle.
#60
Banned
Joined: Feb 2008
Location: Vejer de la Fra., Cadiz
Posts: 7,653
Re: Merkel and Cameron.
Not really and you know it.
I am sure that you are as aware as everyone else that it will take at least 4 or 5 years and maybe nearer 10 to clean up the mess the socialists have left behind, both in the UK and Spain, by which time no doubt they'll be ready to come back into power and piss it all away again.
Unfortunately something of a never ending vicious circle.
I am sure that you are as aware as everyone else that it will take at least 4 or 5 years and maybe nearer 10 to clean up the mess the socialists have left behind, both in the UK and Spain, by which time no doubt they'll be ready to come back into power and piss it all away again.
Unfortunately something of a never ending vicious circle.
Hey, be fair, the right has been blaming ZP for ages, so now it's our turn to sit back, put our feet up and sneer at the government.