fuente saint

I drive down to Southern Spain at least twice a year, and take the Portsmouth To Bilbao route. The cost of the ferry is no more than the cost of fuel and extortionate tolls through France. Arrival at Bilbao is normally 0745 in the morning. I drive for about 9 hours, including a couple of short refreshment stops, and arrive at Iznajar about 1700. Tired, but the ferry journey is reasonably relaxing, and a glass or several of Rioja on arrival at destination normally revives. No children but a howling cat so there is incentive to do the journey asap!

just back from a day skiing in Sierra Nevada Spain. Fantastic snow, blue sky. This area is often overlooked and can be very reasonable.

One quick tip - get your car air conditioning serviced. I came down here to Spain in April and did not even give it a thought - it is not something you think about in cold UK. Come the current temperatures in the mid thirties since May my air conditioning has struggled and am just about to have to get it serviced.

Also veedocast. I tend to use that here in Spain.

There are no restrictions on sending plant products within the EU as they are all subject to the same phytosanitary regulations.

I was in Montenegro last year working for a week or so (as well as Albania, Macedonia, Bosnia,Serbia and Croatia). Whilst Croatia is really picturesqe, Montenegro is trying to position itself as a resort in competition to Croatia. It is not as developed as Croatia, and roads, traffic and taxi drivers leave something to be desired. However, it has some beautiful coastal locations. I only visited the port of Bar, but the scenery is absolutely stunning. The coast of Montenegro is really a continuation of the Croatian coastal belt. I would go for it if I was you. However, don't bother going for a day trip to Albania!!

Agree with FS regarding trying to pick up an unsecured wi-fi signal. Unfortunately where I am in the campo very few people have internet, and where they do they use dial up. I would have thought you would be OK in Marbella.

Depends how much time you spend over there. Iberbanda is about the best bet so far that I have found, but you need to have a computer over there (I have an oldish desktop that I keep there). The cost works out at 39€ (plus IVA @ 18%) a month, and you don't need a land line. They supply and fit a small dish aerial which is currently free of charge as an offer. I guess that you have to work out whether that is cost effective considering how much time you spend over there.

Taking tax from an employee (or charging VAT and not passing to HMRC) is an offence under theTheft Act 1968

I bet all those Southampton Skandia staff who have been made redundant recently will be impressed (not) regarding Old Mutual saving PFC - Old Mutual own Skandia.

As a recently retired HMRC employee, I can assure everyone that the main reason HMRC want the club wound up is to draw a line in the sand over any future losses of VAT, PAYE and NI. They have basically given up on recovering existing amounts, although they may well be hoping to retrieve a small part via the creditor route. They are merely mitigating future losses.

Keep posting as fast as you can guys - can't get a live feed here in Croatia!

DP sounds as if he has been at the wine gums!

Heard that Watford still hope to sign Rasiak - this from a friend close to the Watford board.

I really cannot understand why we persist with JP. We seem to have no power at the back. We just seem to be opening the door and inviting the opposition through. This concept of total football and using the youngsters is a total myth. Do I bother to go back to St Mary's when I get back from the Congo in a couple of weeks? It is really so difficult trying to be positive from here. It is more interesting, I have to say, watching live Manure v Hull here on DSTV.