I never once travelled by train to Madrid, was always cheaper to fly.

Usually its a little cheaper to fly, but its a much better experience on the AVE. Better seats, less stress, good food - and you can work or watch the on-train movie

I choose the AVE every time

Yes you have a point and also with the train arrive central instead of having to travel from Barajas.

Yes, please stop all further discussion about the UK. The UK has nothing to do with "a terrifying year ahead", it's completely off-topic and more importantly, against the rules. You could be scolded for that!

Besides, what could the UK possibly have to do with "British Expats"?

truly despicable behaviour

Well I have to agree. The AVE works well on certain lines eg Madrid to Barcelona or Valencia, and even the Toledo and Segovia branches to Madrid are well used. The new Barcelona-Figueras link that connects to the French system opens later this year, and that will provide even more passengers. I'm not so sure that the Basque or Zamora-Galicia links will be so well patronised, and even the Malaga line is questionable.

It's interesting that some of the Tory opposition to HS2 are supporters of Boris Island (a new airport to the west of London). Which makes me think that the idea isn't really to improve the train service for Brummies who work in London, but rather to enable a new runway/terminal linked to Heathrow by fast rail. Birmingham Airport to be renamed Heathrow terminal 6? Stranger things have happened...

Boris island is east of London in the Thames estuary.
If the HS2 is built Birmingham airport will become a London airport as it will be quicker than the Stansted express.

Any back to Spain. When is the Valencia- Gandia service being extended to Oliva and then Denia?

I've no idea, but given that there is a 2 year ban on any new public expenditure, probably no time soon

Have you 'erd there's trouble brewing North of the Border ?

Apparently that Salmond bloke is intending re-enacting the Battle of Bannockburn, can you believe ?

Sounds terrifying to me.

I really do not believe the Scots would vote for independence, they are canny enough to know what side their breads buttered.

I suppose that means the N332 by-passing Oliva as well is on hold.

Does that mean he and his men will stop voting on laws relating to England, when English MP's cannot vote on laws relating to Scotland ??

All that Dave has to do is stop their central allowance and leave them to run their country with totally free NHS, totally free Uni (unless it is for the English) and see how soon they run out of cash......

I think Scotland doesn't really want full independence, they just want more power and keep on receiving all the benefits from England. Otherwise they would be happy with a straightforward yes or no.

Deserves a thread on it's own this

I read a few years ago that Scotland would be absolutely fine on their own financially. Well, as long as they can claim all the North Sea Gas and Oil rigs

In that case, Scotland will have England over a barrel. They can fund themselves quote nicely and England will have to import more energy

do you mean all those rigs that are south of the line if you extend the England Scottish border out into the North Sea ??

do you mean all those rigs that are rusting and falling apart, and quite honestly running out of gas and oil ?? (thats why there is a gas pipeline across further down from Holland to Norfolk)

What about this lot?
http://www.mebyonkernow.org/

Add in Wales as well and the rest of the uk would be much better off