There must be many queries in the minds of prospective ex-pats. Some require complex investigation, and others nothing more than a simple yes/no type of answer. I’m hoping as time passes this thread will provide a lot of Simple Answers. The forum should benefit from not seeing the same questions again and again, and people new to the forum will hopefully find it a mine of information. I’d like to start the ball rolling with my first simple question:

Are standard bayonet cap (BC) light bulbs easily available in Spanish shops at prices similar to the Edison screw (E27 ES) bulbs?

No, No. ;-)

No, all ES and small ES fittings and bulbs. Not seen lights on sale with any BC fittings. Hope this is not too long for you.

Thank you both for your simple answers!

An add-on question: are the energy-saving bulbs on sale, the sort where 11 watts = a 60 watt output?

energy saving bulb here in the local chinese emporium is about 3 euros! Bit of a difference to the price in the UK.
I can post here cos I'm simple

Thanks Mitzyboy. Although 3€ sounds cheap, our local (Surrey) Tesco was churning them out for close to 1€ recently, though it was a special offer. Everything has to be simple for me too!

couldn't get more simple!

not easily avaliable but you can buy them in dunns and other british supermarkets.

Simple answer is........ NO, you may have to go to the British shops, and they will cost a premium. Spanish shops unlikely to have them unless you go to the big supermarkets like Carrefour. Best idea is, unless you are very attached to your table lamps, not to bring them but buy here as they will have the screw fitting, also please note, Spanish lamp shades not not normally fit UK lamps, the collars are different sizes.

Yes. for the screw fittings..

The cheap energy-saving light bulbs are a false economy. They only last for a few months and sometimes only weeks.

Thanks everyone. Feel free to add your own simple questions if you want. On to my next one.

I understand that Spanish TV is a PAL system, but not compatible with UK PAL. As the SCART sockets bypass the tuner, can you connect a British VCR or DVD player to a Spanish set and use it? (not to record, just to play)

That's not my experience of later UK production. In the beginning they didn't seem so good. Are you talking specifically of Spanish bought items, and where were they made?

Yes, it was a cheap Spanish make I had trouble with. I use more expensive ones now and they last for years.

I'd have to disagree with this statement.
We have about 15 energy saving bulbs throughout the house.
Cost about €1 each and all still going strong 12 months later.