Paperoni Marbella - Where can I buy Paperoni in Spain?

I had heard of Paperoni in the UK for a while now. Its a 3d arts and craft thing for kids. Ive heard some really really good reviews about it and then some not so good - I like to take the average!

I was pleased to see yesterday in El Corte Ingles Puerto Banus that they now have a small selection of Paperoni.

You get a 1 off activity set, double activity set or a refill set. Its 3d rolled paper that you play around it to make a 3d picture.

Prices vary from 8€ to 20€.

Im stocking up on arts & crafts things for the summer...by Mid to End of August even kids can get bored of swimming all the time.

Epidermolysis Bullosa in Spain - Debra Marbella

If you are someone or you know someone who is a sufferer of Epidermolysis Bullosa and living or thinking of moving to Marbella, it maybe good to know that there is www.DEBRA.es

For More information on Epidermolysis Bullosa you can read here on Wikipedia

Debra is in the urbanisation where Mercadona is in Nueva Andalucia (the original Mercadona).


They have a Childrens Butterfly Event Below taken from website.

TODO LISTO PARA EL GRAN EVENTO
"NIÑOS MARIPOSA - MARINA BANÚS 2010"
Torneo de Golf y Cena Benéfica
5 de junio, Club de Golf Aloha (Marbella)

Golf:
Premios en cada hoyo
Regalo de más de 50 green fees de los mejores campos de golf de Andalucía
Fantásticos 5 primeros premios de señoras y 5 de caballeros.
Posibilidad de ganar un Mercedes en el hoyo 8
Green fee 65€ (reservas952 812 388)

Cena Dinner:
Actuación de baile flamenco y música en directo
Sorteo de grandes premios, como un crucero por el Mediterráneo.
Subasta de invitaciones para jugar con Gonzalo Fernandez Castaño en el Club de Golf Valderrama
60€ por cubierto (reservas 952 812 390)

Goodbye to Cluttons & Hello to Another Body Clinic

Theres once again lots of movement in shops around Nueva Andalucia. Just the other day I mentioned that Deliicious has gone, all closed up. Next to close seems to be Cluttons. We passed by a couple of days ago and the sign is down and looks derelict. That shop has been an estate agent for a long time - its such a shame that that corner is going to be empty. Around Mercadona its been the same for years. I remember going in there asking about properties and they were dreadful.

Just up the road the Health Shop and my favourite little Ferreteria and new Beautician / Body Sculpture place is opening up name was Viju or something similar. Opening Day is very soon. The board is up.

Personally having had the other beautician place down the road by III Language School Close down I personally wouldnt open another one where parking is even worse. But at least people are trying.

One person who doesnt seem to be short of customers is the ladies dress shop up at Centro Plaza. She seems to be busy all the time sipping Champagne along with the other ladies that work there. Great for her! Today she was sitting there having her hair done. What a life!!! Great fun!

I pass by there and theres just too much in there for me - its one of those shops you have to get help and I dont like lots of fussing around.

Moving a Pug Dog from Spain to Australia

A friend just emailed me this post and thought it may be useful

Moving a Pug from Spain to Australia

Strange Experionce - Hotel Baviera Car Park Marbella

I always park in the same car park in Marbella just under Halifax when Im going to be just a few minutes.  I was there only yesterday.  Drive in, park, man gives you your ticket with the time you arrived.

Today, I had to go to the chinese shop with my daughter to get her flamenco shoes.  I drove straight in,  parked, walked to go out and....

Its suddenly black and the door is closed and noone here.  It was there weirdest thing...we were about 45 seconds from entering the garage.

Me & My daughter are stuck inside the garage, shouting for help, someone let us out please....I then thought Ill call my husband to call the hotel to tell them we are stuck in their garage...just then I noticed a button on the wall to open the door.

So we continue to walk to the chinese shop when my husband says so how are you going to get the car out of the garage...I said its fine, theres a button inside to get out....Im a bit thick sometimes as just 2 minutes later I realised I could get out of the garage if I was inside....but I cant get back in now.

All this for the Chinese Bazarr that was closed anyway for siesta!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

So we cant get back in, I go into the hotel who says - si esta cerrado a las 4!  Telling me theres a huge sign saying closed....which I couldnt see so why was the door open.

All in all these few crap minutes cost me 50cents to get out of there.

Farrow & Ball Paint Marbella

Where Can I buy Farrow & Ball Paint in Marbella?

Well you can now buy it in the furniture shop in Centro Plaza just behind Starz Restaurant to the left of Vodafone.

Such beautiful paints.

New Shop at Centro Plaza

The corner shop at Centro Plaza opposite Supersol has been taken over once again. But why do people spend such money redoing things that dont look like they need to be changed.

This particular shop was a cafe - which I said straight away wouldnt work - mainly because their prices were as if they were Harrods...they were a cafe in Centro Plaza.

Next it turned into a clothes shop which didnt last long at all. Although she had some really nice pieces.

The glass was being removed this morning and lots of workmen around.

If you know what its going to be let me know.

Mrs Banus Statue at Centro Plaza Roundabout

Seriously - what do you think of the statue of Mrs Banus at Centro Plaza?


For me each time I drive past, it firstly looks like its going to tumble forward and its not very nice to look at. Infact I think it could cause more accidents as you cant help but look at it.


Its it just me?

Artegrafia, Nueva Andalucia - Printers / Business Cards Nueva Andalucia

Ive known about Artegrafia for a while now, it was recommended to me by a friend who gets lots of items printed there.

I needed 2 signs down.  The guy who owns it is very nice, Speaks Perfect English too which is always good for those that speak no Spanish and good price.

He does all kinds of printing, designing and its where many of the restaurants get their menus printed up.  He also does the huge signs that often hang above the bridges along Marbella advertising events.

Artegrafia is now just by the roundabout before you enter the poligono.  Its next to a bar / cafe near where the ferreteria used to be.


I completely recommend Artegrafia.

Christopher Kinahan Estepona - Gang Caught in Marbella

Today I went to La Campana Poligono to get some signs done from Artegrafia a printers there. As I drove in there was one of the shop units smothered with Guardia Civil.

It was all rather scary to be honest with the amount that was there.  I continued past, parked up and instead of finding Artegrafia I found myself wandering around a really good furniture shop there with lots of lovely outdoor furniture.

Realising Id been in here nearly an hour, it was time to leave and find Artegrafia. So I drove back and couldnt beleive that the Police were still there.  Then I drove up and down another road where I was moved on whilst some other premises were being searched.

Id never seen so many Police before with their big vans - something big was going down but didnt know what.   

I finally found the shop I needed and was in the printers for another hour and when I left the police were still there.

It wasnt till I got home later that this must have been something to do with the big gang they caught.

Clapping Songs in Spanish & English

My daughter is now very much into the Clapping Songs - you know when you clap each others hands  - a sailor went to sea sea sea...etc etc.

Well its been a few years since I did that - so if you know any in Spanish or English please email in...

Zooplus - Pet / Animal Websites online deliver to Spain

My dog has been running off lately, the vets say its the "season time" - I thought that as he had castration a while back he would get this way - but it happens.

So my neighbour was telling me about this clicker thing - you train them with it...I searched High and Low in El Corte Ingles, Vets etc and noone had them.

So I remembered someone telling me about Zooplus.com.

A really good website with everything to do with all pets & animals, including, training things, food, collars, cages etc etc.

I ordered on Monday I think and it came through today. Delivery was 6€ plus I made a mistake and ordered 2 of a certain clicker instead of one but other than my miner cock-up was happy with the service.

Would be easier to get those heavy bags of food delivered.

Guess La Cañada Marbella - Guess Marbella

Guess are opening up in La Cañada. They have just put their signs up where Blanco used to be opposite Mango.

You can also buy Guess in El Corte Ingles and many other shops around the port but nice to have a whole shop here finally.

I know a few people that will be very very happy - they love their guess bags - you know who you are!

Moving to Marbella with a 11 and 13 year old

Hello Jo,


I got your email address from your blog. I am moving to Malaga in August with my partner and two daughters (13 and 11). We are doing as much research as we can about Spain, life, schools, finding work etc and would welcome any advice you may be able to offer. Your blog some intersting information. I am thinking of doing a TEFL course before I arrive because I am planning to teach english. My partner would like to be a football coach. Please give any adive you feel would be helful.

Kind regards

C


Hi C

I think Schools are a major concern here unless your children speak Spanish already.

You either send your children - if you can get them in to a Spanish State School and at 13 / 11 this will be tough. or you go the private route which is NOT cheap. So this is a big decision.  Many people have pulled their kdis out of private and put into State as they cannot afford it anymore, leaving not much room in some of the states schools in certain areas.

Work - its not easy here at the moment. The unemployment is high and I have many friends who are unemployed who are bilingual & trilingual. Re Tefl - this is a good idea to be qualified - the problem at the moment is finding clients as many people dont have spare money.

There is Marbella Football Camp where maybe your husband could coach or maybe even apply to the numerous private schools around. Aloha College, Swans, Laude, Mayfair Academy, Calahonda College....there are lots.

I dont want to put you off coming but many people think its easy living here - its not, prices have gone up and its not cheap to live here anymore. So if you come come with lots of money behind you!.

Whilst there are many people unemployed I know others that just seem to go from job to job without having any problems so I guess if you are a grafter - you will find work!

Good luck

Regards

Joanne

¿Es el nuevo parque infantil de San Pedro abierta?

Hola Jo yo sólo quería hacer una pregunta sobre el nuevo parque infantil de San Pedro?

¿Sabe usted si está abierto todavía? Yo estuve allí agosto del año pasado y parecía casi terminado.

Tenemos un apartamento en el mirador junto a sisu y mi hijo de 2 años que viene por lo que sólo viendo cosas que hacer.



Gracias Zowie



Hola Zoe,

Hay un nuevo patio de juegos / parque para niños que se ha abierto sólo por la nueva escuela en Fuente Nueva.

El gran parque en San Pedro - eso no es abrir todavía (i aprobada por la última semana).

No se olvide KIDZ Reino Cancelada!


Saludos



Joanne

Is the new Playground in San Pedro Open

Hi Jo i just wanted to ask a question about the new playground in san pedro ? Do you know if it is open yet? I was there august last year and it looked nearly finished. Im over next monday we have an apartment at the mirador next to sisu and my 2 year old son is coming so just looking at things to do.

Thanks Zowie

Hi Zoe,

Theres a new playground that has opened just by the new school in Fuente Nueva.

The large park area in San Pedro - thats not open yet (i passed by last week).

Dont forget Kidz Kingdom Cancelada!

Regards

Joanne

Working as a Beautician in Marbella

Hi Jo, just wondering if u have any idea if it would b possible to get work as a beautician in sotogrande or marbella without speaking spanish, i just have the basics at the moment.




Thanks kate


Hi Kate




At the moment its quite tough here. Beaticians I know who had clients every week now have every month. Many only bigger market which is Spanish!

There are alot of beauticians here at the moment and mobile ones too. Sotogrande - Im not too sure though.

Try it!



Regards


Joanne

Kids Summer Camps Marbella - Summer Camps Marbella

Its that time of year when you need to plan what you are going to do with your kids in the summer holidays.

Me personally, Im not sending my daughter this year as we are luckily enough to have so many kids from her school on the same urbanisation, family and friends coming over, she loves going to the pool everyday and playing with all her friends. Although...I never say never and come August things may change.

Ill probably have a someone to come to the house to do a bit of work everyday but come summer the kids are tired too and I think they need a bit of a rest.

However, if you are looking for Summer Camps there are lots to choose from.

Firstly most schools have summer camps. Sometimes your children dont necessarily have to go to that school.

Also if your child is 6 or 7 and under many nurseries are open all summer and generally very cheap paying monthly.

More information on each will follow but here are a few at the moment.

Aloha College

Swans School

Laude

Princess Studios Marina Banus

Don Quiote

Soccer Camp Marbella

The Multi Sports Club - Aloha

and many more. Keep your eye out for Kids on the Costa Magazine.

Red Weevil - Insects killing Palm Trees in Malaga

If you have palm trees in your garden or near your house or apartment you may have seen some red insects gliding and crawling around.

These insects are called Red Weevil and they are destroying thousands of Palm Trees just in Malaga Province alone.

We know many people that have had to cut theirs palm trees down which were huge. Very sad.

You can read all about them here http://jardinerianatural.com/ and go to News.

It seems to be every May time they are here.

MBT Footwear Marbella - Where can I buy MBT in Marbella

If you are looking to buy the MBT trainers in Marbella the shop used to be down the far end of Marbella. But the other day I noticed it had moved to the main part of the high street.

Its passed Zara but before Mango on the same side (right hand side if driving towards Fuengirola).

Kids Cooking Classes Terrasana

On Saturday my daughter 6 went to Terrasana on the Golden Mile for Cooking Lessons. She went with a friend from school and I took the opportunity of her wanting to go as normally she is very very shy at new things. I think its good that they do different things and out of school too.

So it seems she is growing up and just like the book "Ruby Flew Too" well my little girl was ready to go and do something different without mummy being there.

I left her there at 11am and went back there just before 1pm. They looked like they were having fun and cooked pizzas. She came out with one already made and then dough that she had made herself to cook another one.

Her dad and her cooked another one back home and it was actually one of the best pizzas ever. She also came home with the recipe card.

The lessons were in Spanish kids ages ranged from about 4 to 10 I think.

It was 25€ which is quite alot for 2 hours so she wont be going every week but once in a while I think is nice.

Its so great to get kids involved in cooking.

Deli-icious Closed

I noticed today that Deliicious has closed down and is completely empty. Deliicious had been in Nueva Andalucia for about 6 years I think. Always a few people in there, then it changed hands and went very quiet and then up again. But its a tough time at the moment.

The cafe next door is still open and there looks like another shop is going to try and open next to that.

Golden Wok Golden Mile - Golden Wok Marbella

On Sunday the name of this Restaurant came up a couple of times. Some friends had popped in there the night before just to see and thought it looked really good.

Sunday was a funny old day again, rain, sun, rain sun. We had planned to go to the beach.

Anyway, we thought we get out of our box and try a new restaurant...we always normally wait till others have been there.

Golden Wok is on the Golden Mile by Da Bruno and Sucha Thai where Lime & Co used to be.

Its a buffet (which I never do normally). 15€ per person and 6.95€ for kids.

Theres a choice of salady stuff, satay chicken, prawn crackers, rice, noodles etc. Then the other side you have all the raw salads, vegetables, fish, shell fish, meats for either grill or wok with a choice of sauces and its all cooked in front of you. Theres also sushi.

Not only at at the end there are some puddings, fruit etc and a freezer full of ice-cream and you take whatever you want with all the sauces chocolate, fresa etc etc.

For 2 of us - 2 adult buffetts and 2 drinks the bill was 36€. The service that was there was really good and the main man came to check everything was ok and that we enjoyed it.

Very good and would definately go back.

Blanco La Cañada

The new Blanco Shop is open in La Cañada where the old Imperial Shop used to be...so much for it being Primark or Dunnes.

Its been designed really well and looks amazing inside.

Womens & Mens Clothing

Chris Tarrent in Marbella

Yes, Chris Tarrant is around the area at the moment.

I was going in to La Cañada today up the escalators when I saw someone that I thought I knew, gave a smile and nod hello then realising it was Chris Tarrant. But he did smile and say hello back.

Then straight away I phoned a friend :)

Robert Calvin Marbella - Robert Calvin Hairdresser Marbella

Robert Calvin is in the documentary on tv Tonight on ITV 2. Im sure its a repeat - but I havent seen it before.



Robert Calvin is just by Barclays Bank in Nueva Andalucia / the Exit for Puerto Banus. Ive only seen him in his adverts and would never known who is without those sunglasses on.



Robert Calvin isnt cheap - and now that I have seen him on this programme tonight I understand why he is charging his prices - his a very well known hairdresser in his part of England.



Kristina Szekely, and the girls from Princess Studios were having their haircut too if you wondered who they were.

Pine Beetles Marbella

HELP....Its May and this is the 2nd year running where we have these Little Red Beetles coming in.

They just seem to get in even when the windows are closed.

Anyone know what they dislike? How Can I prevent them getting in.

I know they are only here for another couple of weeks but cant stand them.

Any advice greatly appreciated.

Maxwells Marbella - Marbella Forum

UPDATED...I went by the other day to have a nose around and its really really nice. You have outside first where you can take breakfast - not bad prices either. Theres a breakfast / snack menu which is really good price 1, 2, 3 up to 10€.

Then inside you have a beautiful restaurant where you can choose the lunch menu or in the evening a slightly more expensive menu thats still not too bad for a treat.

At the back in a separate area is the Piano Bar - really nice and a great place to have a drink in the evening. Whats very exciting is a large area downstairs which is going to be a nighclub!

A great venue for a party!

Very excited to see a building that I dont think has been in use for a long time, suddenly become something.

Marbella Forum which is opposite the Puente Romano next to the NH Hotel has become Maxwels Marbella. A restaurant / Bar with live music.

I noticed it today as we passed by and just found the website with more details here.

Its owned or fronted by Paul Maxwell, also known as The Piano Man who has apparently played to many wealthy people around Puerto Banus.

The Opening Night is tonight! It will also be available for private hire for up to 200 people and you can hire Paul Maxwel to play too.

More information on their website http://www.thepianomanmarbella.com/

If anyone goes to the opening tonight, do leave your comments here.

Horse Riding Back Protector & Skull Hat for Sale Marbella

Im very sad to be selling this as its hardly been used. My daughter had been horseriding for a few months and then I decided I wanted her to wear her own hat and also a back protector as kids dont have to wear them here. Just as I bought it she didnt want to go horseriding anymore.

We tried a few back protectors on here in Spain but couldnt find one that fitted well - they were too long at the back which is not good.

I have a Small Size Back Protector for chest size 60 to 66 cms. This was for when my daughter was just over 5 years old.

The hat is a skull hat with a flexible flap at the front which is apparently now law in the UK.

All in perfect condition, even have the box for the hat. We bought this in a proper horseriding store in Cornwall just last April.

Hat 45€

Body Protector 55€

Buy both 85€

Walkathon Cudeca - Charity Walk For Cudeca

Walkathon for Cudeca

Another year on, and the time has come to celebrate the Cudeca Walkathon 2010. It will be held on the 23rd May, as always, on the beach by the Sunset Beach Club promenade, offering participants three alternative routes to choose from: a 10km walk for the fittest at 10:30hrs, a 5km walk for those who like to stroll at 11:30hrs and an especially adapted 2km route for children and/or wheelchair participants at 11.30hrs. The registration tables will open to participants at 09.30 and the entrance fee is 10€ for pre-paid entrance and 12€ on the day and 6€ for children.

The objective is for participants to raise funds via individual sponsorship, by encouraging friends to give an amount for every kilometre walked. This year’s funds will be especially destined to save the In-Patient Unit from its financial difficulties and prevent the possibility of its closure by November 2010.

The registration leaflets are now available from the reception at the Hospice Centre, at all our charity shops and on our website at www.cudeca.org. Motivate your family and friends now to sponsor every kilometre you walk.

Those participants, who get the most individual sponsors, will win excellent prizes. There will also be a special prize for the group with the most participants!

We will have music, a large paella, BBQ, and gifts. Our professional friends at Exploramás will be in charge of exciting activities and there will be an interactive performance by Ronald McDonald for the children, amongst many other surprises.

We would like to thank the following companies for sponsoring us this year:

XANIT INTERNATIONAL HOSPITAL as the official Sponsor, Benalmádena Town Hall, Patronato Deportivo Municipal del Ayto. de Benalmádena, Fundación Cajasol, Málaga.es Diputación, Exploramas, Costa del Sol Occidental, Sunset Beach Club, Knight Insurance Brokers, Málaga Hoy, Talk Radio Europe, Dumher, Cadena Ser, McDonalds Benalmádena, Carrefour Alameda, Grupo GMG, and Coca-Cola.

All the funds raised will go to continue adding “life to days” of people living in Málaga who are suffering from advanced non-curable cancer, and offer assistance to their families. As always, the care offered is completely free of charge since 1992.

http://www.cudeca.org/

Communal Living in Marbella

This weekend was the best weekend so far this year and yesterday my daughter and her friends wanted NOTHING else but to go in the pool.

Except, someone on our urbanisation decided to hold a big communion party at the pool taking up most of it.

It was lovely, caterers, lovely tables, balloons, cakes, lots of food and drink - really nice. And what a great and cheaper way of holding a celebration - love it!

But do you think maybe all the other neighbours should have been told? Not a mention - nothing.

I love my urbanisation but there are things about communal living that can get to you.

Im also learning that when you are in a small community you notice things far more than in a big community of over 100 apartments.

One day I will find my perfect home!

Many People Leaving Marbella - Not just the English

The other night I was at a friends house for a girlie night. It was a lovely evening. It was birthdays and also leaving parties as some are moving back.

Its not just the English moving back to the UK, its the Scandinavians too. Mainly because of money, kids education and they want to be around their family more.

It seems many people around in their mid to late 30s with kids starting to grow up are seriously wondering whats here for their kids in the future. Some have their kids in International Schools, some in Swedish Schools and they just cannot afford it anymore. And whilst they could move their kids to a Spanish Public School - they rather go back to their home country as they beleive it will be better for their kids in the future. They just cannot see what their kids are going to do here in the future and beleive they would be better off living back in their home towns near a city.

Heaven Beach Marbella / Estepona

Went to Heaven Beach on Saturday - our first day on the beach this year. What a wonderful day we had. Just what I needed - a day of complete relaxation, although Im not good at it!

Personally Im not a sunbather, like to get a bit of a tan but can stand lying there hour after hour but did manage to relax for a few hours at Heaven Beach.

We got a big bed for all 3 of us - 40€ normally 50€ and we have never rented one of these before, but it was so comfy it really makes you relax.

There was a bouncy castle for the kids and then in the afternoon a live band. It was an absolutely brilliant day.

We ate in the restaurant, just had a main course each and soft drinks and for 7 of us the bill was just over 110€ which isnt bad at all considering you are on the beach. We´ve paid alot more. Its the starters, desserts and alcohol which always rack up the price.

A really lovely day out and will definately go back there.

Car Tax in Spain - Impuesto Vehiculos Traccion Mecanica

What a lovely morning, just opened 2 green letters asking for our Vehicle Tax. 116.25€ Each.

So if you this on Direct Debit, make sure there´s money in your account. Next month starts the Rubbish Taxes and then the Property Taxes too!