Blog #Wikipedia

"How Green Was My Valley" is a novel by Richard Llewellyn about a Welsh family and the mining community in which they live. It was turned into a Hollywood film, two BBC TV series, a Broadway musical and a theatre play. I was struck the other day by how green my valley was. But we've had a load of rain. I live in the Valle de Fuente de la Higuera just outside Ronda (Malaga). I've never seen it so green at the start of Spring. And I've lived round here for over 16 years. Here's the story.

Since the UK formally left the European Union on January 1st, 2020 - commonly known as BREXIT - it has become a lot harder to become a Spanish resident. New rules apply, as they do for other non-EU members. Read on to find out the situation as of April 1st 2025.

The start of the new Tax Year in the UK is always on 6 April and runs until 5 April of the following year. So why I am I posting about this on Eye on Spain? Well, because there are large numbers of British people living here and even more who own property which they visit for up to 90 days a year (since Brexit) and they may/will have tax liabilities in the home country. To find out about the changes, please read on.

I grew up in a rural area in North Devon (England) where I lived in three different houses between the ages of nought and 14. I remember that my Dad, from rural South Wales, always had either a garden or a big allotment. Here's my story of how I went from being a novice English gardener to an apprentice Spanish jardinero, despite the challenges: hot sun; ice cold winters; heavy rainfall; pests; exhaustion; poor quality soil.

Spring has arrived in southern Spain at last, albeit a bit later than normal. Or has it? At the spring equinox days and nights are each approximately twelve hours long, with day-time length increasing and night-time length decreasing as the season moves forward to the summer solstice. The weather had improved - the rain had stopped and the sun was out - so it was time to start planting.

International Women's Day is celebrated annually on 8 March as a focal point in the women’s rights movement. IWD gives focus to issues such as gender equality, reproductive rights, and violence and abuse against women. ​This important day is celebrated throughout the world, on Saturday 8 March. Read more:

Local council mayors can earn good money these days. Previously, being mayor was a voluntary role and an honour. Whether they were effective is another matter. Surely, it’s right that the “chief executive” of a council with a budget to manage is regarded as a professional who should be paid.

Just as I am preparing to apply for Spanish citizenship – deadline end of January – the country is doing its best to put me off going ahead! First of all, two of Spain’s police forces have p**sed me off big-style and on top of that two places have convinced me never to visit again. What’s the story?

Today celebrates the immaculate conception of the Virgin Mary, mother of Jesus Christ, Son of God. Christians the world over consider today to be one of the most important days in the religious calendar. In many Roman Catholic countries, it is an official “feast day” or bank holiday.