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Our friends electric

Our friends electric

You will either be sickened by England's defeat, even more sickened by Lampard's disallowed goal (which I didn't even notice as I was watching the match on a German channel, being harassed by small children), or just plain sick of hearing/reading/talking about our fateful exit from the World Cup yesterday afternoon ("a monument to mediocrity" as one pundit termed it).

Call me!

Call me!

One of the most iconic symbols of Britain — formerly a ubiquitous sight all over the country, sadly dwindling in usefulness and popularity, and now endangered by encroaching, more compact modern technology — is bringing a taste of home to Spain this summer.

Solar-powered houses

Solar-powered houses

Normally I keep this blog within the confines of Andalucia, since that's what the site is about, but today I want to go north, to Spain's capital. Forgive me for taking geographical liberties, but this event is both fascinating and relevant — not least because Andalucia is an area drenched in sunshine most of the time, and the event in question is all about "Lorenzo".

The Pain of Spain

The Pain of Spain

Last night it was all over the TV news, and today it's hogging the headlines in the newspapers. Long faces, shaking heads, stunned disbelief. No, not the fact that the Spanish government has (allegedly) asked for a 250bn euro bail-out, and that our poor, deranged president described his country as "solvent, solid and strong" (they'd better cut down on his medication, or he's going to think he's president of Brazil next).

Fit for summer?

Fit for summer?

Hey, summer's here. Time to hit the beach — after all, isn't that one of the reasons you live in, or are coming on holiday to, Andalucia?

Are you panicking about your bikini body? Worried about all that cellulite? Launching on a last-minute attempt to look like Elle McPherson by going to the gym every day, after a six-month hiatus since the soon-broken New Year's resolution?

The beautiful game

The beautiful game

What I know about football could be written on the back of a postage stamp, and what I like about the sport could just about fit into the price on its front, but as it's World Cup time, I can't escape the topic.

Especially as Spain is the current favourite (betting odds as of today are 4/1, with 18/1 for Spain to win plus David Villa to take the Golden Boot; Fernando Torres is second-favourite). Although complacency can be dangerous — as England's Joe Cole pointed out, "Spain are different class, but it is not always the best team that wins."

Una cervecita?

Una cervecita?

The other day I was having a chat with a girlfriend about the thorny subject of drinking and driving. Specifically, Spanish men drinking and driving. More specifically, Spanish men drinking cerveza and driving.