Da Bruno Marbella Sea Front

Saturday Night whilst I was out, my husband took my daughter to what has become one of her favourite restaurants...one is the Mexican Golden Mile, the other is Da Bruno.

She loves it there because they make amazing Pesto and Pasta and my daughter loves Pesto.

So she dressed up and they went to dinner.  The staff treated her like a princess, there was live music which was really nice and the food was very good.  The service was brilliant apparently too.

They had prawn cocktail to start, steak and pesto pasta, profiteroles and mouse...I have no idea what the bill was but pretty sure no less than 3 times the price of my Chinese.

My husband said its not cheap, but the service and food was excellent.

Zara Kids La Cañada

If you ever want to see bad customer service at its best, I think Zara Kids in La Cañada has to win hands down.

Ive had a number of problems in there, but a while ago, yet today it seems nothing has changed.

I asked the girl for "these shoes in 32 please "...she took the 31 with her.

She came back with a pair saying she "I dont have a 32....heres the 31".

Errr...no I asked for a 32, if the 31 fitted...I wouldnt have taken the ones I gave her.

She said..."you dont want the 31?"...."no" I replied...then being completely unsure if I had asked for a 31 or 32.

So I asked her...."excuse me...did I ask you for a 31 or 32".    "32" She replied.

"What you dont want these...the 31"  rather rudely she said.

"No, they are too small, which is why I asked for a 32".

What did she think I was going to do?  Cut of my daugthers toes and squeeze them in?  Rude rude and bloddy rude.

I think its about time Mr Zara knew how rude some of his staff are.

Cheap Chinese Marbella - Golden Sun Benavista

Saturday Night was girls night and once again we met up at the Golden Sun Benavista.  The staff are lovely, the food is great and the price is  excellent.

I have been a  number of times before and normally the bill ends up about 30€ per person.

This time, it worked out just 22.50€ each for 8 of us.  We ate so much food it was unbeleivable.   But where normally we have a gin & tonic or something similar, this time we stuck to Cava...a few bottles.  

What a fab evening, great company, great food and excellent price!

A weird day

I have had the weirdest day so far...surely it cant get any weirder.

I went to Mercadona, opened the boot, stuck my shopping in, closed it and yes....the keys were in the car.  I actually didnt think it was possible to lock your keys in the car anymore (in new cars) as it had to be locked...but I learnt today you can.

On the remote I only opened the boot, normally I open the whole car and lift up the boot.

Then I get to our security office to leave keys for some tenants coming and theres an envelope there with exactly the same name on, time of collection...we were all confused although one person must have booked a number of apartments....Im hopeing!

USP Marbella Pediatrics Unit

What a morning, left my house at 8.20, drove to the hospital in Marbella, parked, saw a doctor, went to the Chemist and still made it to school at 9.15!

The Private Health System here is amazing....of course we pay for it...however its still great.

My daughter had complained to me yesterday about her thumb hurting...I couldnt see anything.  But last night she woke in pain saying it hurt and actually the ball part of her hand was swollen.    She has either fallen, banged it or maybe an insect bite...I dont know.

So this morning we took her straight to the USP as my Centro De Salud Pediatria was fully booked.    Lovely people and seen straight away.  The pediatrics unit is wonderful, brightly painted with toys etc.

They said that she had banged it pretty bad somehow, bandaged it up and said give Dalsy for the swelling.  I do think they mollycoddle here...and if that was in the UK they would have said and done nothing!  But as they say "when in Rome, do as the Romans do"!

This was my first experience of the USP and have to say fantastic.

Primark, Algeciras

Also now, Primark Malaga
Yesterday we went to Primark in Algeciras, its about a hour drive from Marbella driving legal speed.

I was really gutted as just a few days ago I spent a fortune on Christmas Cards that I designed on line.  I really wanted the ones where you stick a photo in...Primark had them.  I think 1.50 for 10....and lots of other Christmas Cards that you make yourself...good fun for kids.

They had loads of wrapping paper and packets of Christmas Bags really quite cheap.

Whats really cheap there are pyjamas...4€uros for a pair of pyjamas.  7€ for a Dressing Gown....not too sure how long it will last but the pyjamas I bought  a few weeks ago are still great and wash well.

If you are on a budget, theres lots of jewellery, mugs, christmassy things that are really cheap.

L´Occitane La Cañada, Marbella

Lots of changes happening in La Cañada at the moment. Camper has opened up with a brand new shop near the main entrance for La Cañada.

The Cafe that has been there for ages near the Lotteria next to Solaris has closed down and LOccitane is opening.  LÓccitane sells gorgeous creams, soaps, perfumes....great if it opens up in time for Christmas.

Claires Accessories looks like its moving to a shop inside Alcampo, so I wonder whats going to open in the original shop

Airconditioning Companies in Nueva Andalucia

Hi Jo,

Also,can you recommend a company to put in new airconditioning units.

Thank you

Linda

A Good Painter & Decorator in Nueva Andalucia

Hi Jo,

I wonder if you can help.  I am looking for a person / company  to redo all our walls, door frames, fill in and revarnish stairs, and fix tiles in bathroom and kitchen.  Its a property about 9 years old and needs a good going over.  But I dont want to spend a fortune.

Can you recommend anyone good, reliable and preferably English Speaking and who wont rip us off.

Thank you.

Linda

Are you coming up to 35! Be Warned!

My whole live wherever Ive worked in the past , Ive been called "Little Jo" as Jo is a pretty common name theres always more than 1 of us and you couldnt get much smaller than me.

Ive always been shortish, small & slim....I could eat anything I wanted and not put on weight....everyone was always quite baffled by it.  I eat alot....and no I dont have any eating disorder...other than I dont stop.

When I have mearly mentioned about my husbands weight and cutting down on food...for years he has said...you wait till you pass 35! You wait you will see how hard it is to loose weight!

Over the past couple of weeks ive been chatting to friends around the same age and the same is happening to them!

Well, I hit that time of life and now its all change.  In the past few weeks, 6 people have asked if Im pregnant as my tummy is getting bigger and wider....no Im not.  Im not offended by it as Ive always tried to be a bit bigger...but the pregnant look when you´re not pregnant?  Its time to get my stomach a bit flatter.

I have grown out of all my jeans and cant get them past my thighs.  Gutted as I especially went back to Singapore from Australia  a couple of years ago as the "Asian Levi" fitted me so amazingly I bough 5 pairs.

Cellulite...now I really do know what it is.

And on top of it all grey hair.

Oh what a joy the 35th year has been!  Thank goodness its nearly over.

Marbella Schools Open at 7.30am until 8pm

A news article has just come through that some of the state schools in Marbella will be opening from 7.30am until 8pm so parents can continue to work without worrying or sorting out other childcare.

Seems a long day for a child to be at school.

Please read the full article on Euro Weekly Here.

Child Friendly Place New Years Eve in Marbella

Hello Jo,

My daughter and grandaughter, who will be just two, are here for New Year. Do you know where we can all go for dinner on New Year's Eve,somewhere obviously child friendly?

Thanks,

Anne

 

Hi Anne,

Many places on New Years Eve put their prices up and do set menus, some in Puerto Banus up to 350€ we have seen in previous years.  

I think with kids, Picassos will be fun...this last year was about 99€uros.

There will be restaurants that will just keep the normal prices and menus, but dont think you will find many in the Port.

Ill post this up on the blog and see if anyone else knows.

Regards

Joanne

Old Joys Piano Bar New Years Eve

Hi. Been to Puerto Banus a few times and would like to go this new year. Do you know if Joy's Piano Bar are open and have a NYE night? If so, do you need to buy tickets before hand? Is there many about the Port at NY?

Thanks

REPLY...

Hi,

Im, not too sure, best to give them a call on 952 814 283

Girls / Ladies Bike For Sale

A girls / small ladies bike for sale.  24" Wheels, basket, 5 gears.  PERFECT condition

105€€uros

Reason for selling...Dont use enough.

Email jo@nuevaandalucialife.com

Kids Horse Riding Hat For Sale

This Charles Owen Size 0 Horse Riding Skull Hat is for Sale.

35€uros

Worn twice. My daughter was horsering, the week I finally bought all the gear, my daughter said she didnt want to go anymore.....Typical!

If interested email jo@nuevaandalucialife.com

Second Hand Girls Bike for Sale Nueva Andalucia

Girls / Kids Bike For Sale

Perfect for Age from 4.5 to about 7 Years.

BRILLIANT  first bike for learning without stabilers.

16" wheels

Bought from Intersport  La Canada 1.5 years ago for 130€uros.  In very good condition...except no stabilisers & back light broken off.

55€  Quick Sale  Been kept inside.  VGC

email jo@nuevaandalucialife.com


If you wish to advertise something for sale just 25€uros.

Beautiful Puerto Banus when the sun is out

Todays my job was photographer.  I walked around Banus for about 3 hours taking pictures for a big website.  I actually loved walking around and got stopped by 3 people asking if Im a "proper photographer!.  Here are just a few of them and thought how beautiful Puerto Banus looks when the sun is out.

Interactive White Boards....kids just know too much

We gave our daughter an old White Board from the office that wasnt being used...she loves it and drawing on it all the time. 

Except tonight she went to the side and started banging the pen on it...I said "what are you doing?"

She said "I thought you were getting me one of those white boards connected to the computer, an Interactive White Board like we have at school".

She is 6
Our kids generation are going to be the geekiest of the geeks with all the technology they have.

Nermans Restaurant, Nueva Andalucia Review

We finally made it to Nermans the other day and have to say we all really enjoyed it.  5 of us took the menu del dia, which is 2 courses for 12€ or 3 courses for 15€ plus drinks

To start most of us had Thai Fish Cakes and 1 person had the goats cheese salad...all delicious.

Mains, I had Steak - normally not good quality for menu del dia but this was delicious.  Other people had the fish and lamb curry...all very happy with it.

Dessert, Carrot Cake, Cheese & Biscuits & Fruit Salad...all delicious.

For 5 of us 3 courses plus drinks bill came to just over 100€ and everyone enjoyed every part of the meal.

Service was good, lovely setting.  It was a bit quiet but with a bit of word of mouth Im sure they will be busy every day.

Really good food, good service, good value and will definately go back for lunch again.

Nermans is where Ogilvy & Mailer used to be

Telephone Number 0034 952 815 398

Whats Hot Discount Card El Corte Ingles

If you are a foreign resident, make sure you sign up for your Whats Hot Discount Card.  Its FREE yes free...not one of these discounts cards that you have to pay for first of all.

If you miss your 2 hours free parking because you dont spend 30€ on your El Corte Ingles Card...you get this.  Just take your receipt to the Customers Service when you are about to leave and you get 2 hours free.

Take your vouchers for recycling bags.

We took 4 English Breakfasts the other day in the cafeteria on the 2nd floor and only paid for 2.  Buy 1 get 1 free.

Theres lots of offers / discounts and not just in El Corte Ingles.  15% of Burger King within Malaga, Discounts on Golf etc etc.

Go to http://www.whatshot.es/

Now...there are negatives and thats the fact that either the staff havent listened properly or the Boss of Whats Hot hasnt informed the El Corte Ingles Staff....they may not know about his card and you will get fraustrated.

Mercadona Calle Califa Nueva Andalucia - Open October 12th?

Mercadona Supermarket in Calle Califa, Nueva Andalucia, down from the Bullring this is CLOSED on October 12th & 19th.

Opencor is open all the time.

Mercadona Supermarket in Los Naranjos Urbanisation, Nueva Andalucia is also CLOSED on October 12th & 19th

Pros and Cons of living in Gibraltar

Hi


I found your wonderful blog via google. I am a Mum to 2 girls aged 2 and 3½. I'm writing to you hoping you might help me with some information.

I've been offered a 6 month position in Gibraltar and I'm not sure whether to ask to live in Gibraltar or along the coast between Gib and Malaga.

Do you have any knowledge of what the pros and cons are of either location?


Thanks in advance!

Cheers,

Lyn

Bag Stolen from Car in Elviria - Newsletter Response

Hi Jo


Glad to see you are still in Spain.

The car crime thing happened to me in the summer in Elviria, but they got me as I pulled into a parking space before I had a chance to even turn the engine off, they had opened my drivers door to distract me and someone else was at the passenger door.

I was still in the car but when I looked over to the passenger side a man was in the door and my bag was gone. I screamed and shouted and leapt outof the car and they threw the bag back in.

There were three of them altogether and they were driving a new ish green Peugeot car, which they all got into and drove off!!

Keep up the good work



Clare

Halloween Parties Nueva Andalucia / Marbella Kids & Adults

Lots of places will have  Halloween Parties this year for both kids & adults.  If you know of something going on let me know.

Kidz Kingdom, Bel Air
Halloween Party from 3 - 9pm  Call 0034 952 928 936

Kidz Kingdom Space City, El Rosario
Star Wars Halloween Party on October 31st.  You can call for more inform on 0034 952 839 275.

Dreamers Night Club
For the Adults a Halloween Party at Dreamers

Born to Be Wild Marbella - Outdoor Activities in Marbella

The other day whilst wandering around Istan, we saw a group of people on one of the Jeep Tours with Born to Be Wild.   They looked like they were having alot of fun.

I heard about them a long time ago, but they seem to be more visual lately.

Born to be Wild is a company that specialis in adventures, Ecotourism, active tourism, outdoor activities, corporate events and Team Building.

They work with families, groups and companies, and includes Jeep Tours, Speedboat tours, Dolphin tours, Events and Teambuilding, Beach parties and Animation with all type of Team Building programmes.

From half a day to a full day, our multilingual team will make you discover and enjoy the marvels of the Andalusian Nature.

Sometimes its nice to do something completely different!

Crime around Marbella

Over the past few weeks I have heard about more and more petty crime happening around Marbella Area.

A popular thing at the moment happening around San Pedro and also in Benahavis, is you walk to your car, as you open the door, someone comes up to you asking for something, whilst another person has opened your passenger door and taken your bag.

At the airport...there are people always hanging about...they come up to you asking for a light for the cigarrette whilst another comes along and takes your bag....this has happened to a number of friends and one before getting on the flight loosing her passport, money, keys...everything.

If you leave things in your car on show....it more than likely will get taken...you used to be able to leave your handbag on the seat...but not anymore.

La Cañada...becareful parking upstairs outside and leaving your boot full of food and stuff whilst you go back into shop.

Carry whats necessary and make sure you have a photocopy of all your cards especially residencia etc.  Its a nightmare to get everything back, but it makes life a little easier when you have a copy for identification.

Disney Live - Mickeys Music Festival Malaga

Disney Live - Mickeys Music Festival  is showing at the Palacio Municipal de los Depertes Jose Maria Martin Carpena - The Big Sports Centre on the N340 as you are getting closer to the entrance for Malaga City.
Disney Live - Mickeys Music Festival is on 28th October - 31st October

You can buy tickets through El Corte Ingles here

Hardrock Cafe Puerto Banus Review

We decided we would go to Hardrock on Sunday as my brother and sister-in-law are here.

Service was ok, nothing I can really complain about, but nothing exceptional.  We sat in the booth by the windows...in the afternoon it was very hot...but they do have a sun reflector they can pull down.

My daughter had the kids meal at 7.50€ for Hot Dog or Burger etc, Drink & Icecream.  I had a Burger, others had chicken, ribs and another burger.  Also a few soft drinks

My burger was ok, but Im still not convinced about burger buns without sesame seeds.  Its was also so big even I couldnt fit it all in this gob.  As I did say before, I have had better tastier burgers.

However, the day before my brother had been to TGIS and for 2 of them the bill was 60€.

In Hardrock Cafe, there were 5 of us, only had a main course each and drinks and it was 75€. which they didnt think was too bad.

Expect to leave there feeling completely stuffed and uncomfortable...however, its a good place to go in a crowd...I think
 

Cantajuego in Malaga

If you have kids, they will probably know about Cantajuego.  A group of young, energetic entertainers with catchy songs!  My daughter LOVES Cantajuego.

They are showing at the Big Sports Centre on the N340 in Malaga.   The Palacio Municipal de Los Desportes Jose Maria Martin Carpena, Malaga....what a name for a Sports Centre!

Cantajuego December 28th at 6pm.

You can buy all tickets at El Corte Ingles look for "Entradas" tickets

Camper Shoes Marbella Camper Shoes La Cañada

In La Cañada close to the entrance of Alcampo a Camper Shoes Shop is opening up soon. 

Performing Art Classes in Marbella

Hi Jo,

I have recently moved to the area and looking for classes for my 2 children aged 5 and 8 to do some performing arts classes.  Do you know any preferably between San Pedro and Marbella.  Thank You  Julie

Hi Julie

Actually just this morning I heard about Marbella Stage School on the radio.  you can find all the information here http://www.marbellastageschool.com/ .  After school classes and weekends too.

There is also StageCoach at Laude School on Saturdays.  I have many friends kids that attend this and they love it.

Hope this helps

Regards


Joanne

October 12th in Marbella Oct 12 Spain

October 12th is Dia de España (Day of Spain).

Im not going into the History of it as many people just want to know whats open...

Well normally Mercadona is Closed on this day.  However, sometimes La Cañada & El Corte Ingles are open. 

El Corte Ingles Puerto Banus is open October 12th but closed October 19th

Curso De Español - Gente Siempre Tarde

He comenzado un curso de español y disfrutando de verdad. El profesor es muy bueno, la mayoría de la gente está bien. El horario es de 9.30 a 1130.

Cada lección personas llegan tarde. Theres 5 de todos nosotros en el tiempo y todos los demás paseos en cuando quieren ... incluso hoy en día a las 10.30 ... ¿por qué te molestes en venir?

Curiosamente la misma gente que compró el libro havent ejercicio también!

Me hace pis fuera que la gente theres en lista de espera con ganas de hacer este curso, pero no puedo porque su plena de estas personas que llegan tarde y no puedo siquiera tomarse la molestia de comprar el libro.

Sunso Furniture Marbella Sunso Furniture Spain

Sunso is a garden furniture make and you can buy it on the Poligono in La Campana.

We bought quite alot of things from here in the summer.  Having bought the wrong table, they kindly exchanged it for a bigger one...but the glass top was verys scratched.

They said they would change it and still waiting for a new one since August...hopefully it will come soon.

How "La Crisis" is affecting in front of my eyes.

September when the kids go back to school is a time when you really start to see how people are affected by "The Crisis" when the kids are in Private School. I know 4 kids personally that havent gone back this year and for all the reasons people make...its nearly always because of money.

 

So a year and a half ago, we moved to a pretty quiet / empty urbanisation.  Shortly after many other people started moving in...mainly people that had come from big houses, trying to cut costs...i.e maids, cleaners, swimming pools.    People that big houses in Sierra Blanca, kids left home, in University and realising money just slipping through their fingers.


For over a year its been wonderful, had some brilliant parties and get togethers, kids all playing out, having fun and "The Crisis" seemed to be steady... but since the begining of September....BANG.


Its all change..kids being pulled out of private school because they cant afford it, people moving to even smaller properties, people going back to the UK and other Home Countries and also the pressure of the Crisis splitting many families up.

It all seems to have happened so quickly.  I remember sitting by the pool last summer speaking a Spanish guy who said...it will all be good again in 2010....I dont think so.