Tighter controls within the NHS mean that British expats without the necessary paperwork can no longer expect free medical treatment during trips back to the UK, said OverseasGuidesCompany.com. “Previously, some expats have been able to travel ...

I often hear expats complaining about the difficulties of learning Spanish, despite being well aware that their experiences as an expat would be greatly enhanced by making the effort to communicate in the language of their new country. Sadly, many fa...

A bridge in Guardamar del Segura, on the approaches to the junction of the CV-91 from Orihuela, with the N332, has developed what appears to be a serious crack in its structure.

According to the municipal group Esquerra Unida which has warned of the apparent danger involved, the infrastructure supports a section of National-332 road which carries thousands of cars andheavy trucks every week.

The crack is visible in both directions and the concern is that in recent weeks it seems to be getting gradually worse. Many residents who have been in contact with the Guardamar Ayuntamiento say there is a distinct possibility that the bridge could collapse.

The leftist group warns that these cracks began to appear quite a while ago, "but you can see how they have recently become enlarged," according to spokesman Josep Carmona. “The bridge was built on variable terrain across the Rio Segura and the shifting path of the river has created additional problems for the bridge. It is also the point where the dual carriageway into Torrevieja begins.

Carmona also said that this is an area where regular earthquakes occur causing, albeit very slight, movement of the bridge which has added to the structural problems, he would not, however, state that the danger was imminent although he did say that an immediate structural survey should be carried out by engineers from both the Ayuntamiento, which is responsible for the CV 91, and the Highways Agency, who are responsible for the National road.

The mayor of Torrevieja, Eduardo Dolon, met with Sergey Kravtsov last Tuesday, the President of the Federal Agency for Monitoring, Education and Science in Russia, who was in the area primarily to meet with the city's Russian residents, of which there ...

11 year old Osaïa Reding recently competed in the 2nd annual La Manga Xperience, an event that is part of the 2015 Spanish Kitesurf Cup, which took place last weekend in La Manga, Mar Menor. This year's championship attracted more than 150 dedi...

(Sponsored by Costa Blanca Green Fee Services). Here on the Costa's golf is one of the biggest leisure time activities for both tourists and resident alike and with this in mind we have secured the services of Mike Probert of Costa Blanca Green Fee Se...

THE 2015 IRISH OPEN at Royal County Down will mark Sergio Garcia's first appearance in 15 years at the tournament. The Irish Open launched his professional career as a teenager in 1999, when he edged out Angel Cabrera to win his first European Tour title at Druids Glen.

Host Rory McIlroy will head an impressive list of contestants, among them fellow compatriots Darren Clarke and Graeme McDowell. The Irish Open has a history of repeat winners, among them Faldo and Ballesteros, so defending champion Mikko Ilonen will be hoping to carry on the tradition.

Old Tom Morris helped to design some 30 links courses, but Royal County Down is considered to be his finest effort. The club minutes from 1889 show that Mr. Morris was rewarded with £6.50 for his trouble, which would have pleased him as he usually only got a fiver.

THE COBRA FLY Z DRIVER has been named My Golfspy's most wanted driver for 2015. It features Speed Channel Technology; an engineered trench around the perimeter of the face to increase ball speeds across it. Weight has been removed from key areas to increase the size of the sweetspot, with a low, backward CG to reduce spin and increase launch.

My Golfspy reported: ‘FLY Z delivers the ultimate blend of maximum distance and forgiveness. It's the most complete driver on our list.'

ON JUNE 15th CHAMBERS BAY will welcome the U.S. Open to the Pacific Northwest for the first time in its history. The links style course on Puget Sound, designed by Robert Trent Jones was constructed on a former gravel quarry, and has massive, rolling fairways, towering dunes and undulating greens. The players, some of whom have walked the 7,742 yd. course, have given it mixed reviews, and apparently the organizers are considering placing tee boxes on slopes, which has brought an outraged response (especially from Ian Poulter, always prone to outraged responses.) The 1st and 18th holes may be either a par 4 or par 5 on the day, depending on the unpredictable wind conditions. Should be fun.

A CHIPPING TIP from Pitch Perfect: Good chippers start with the shaft forward at address. This hinges the wrists and creates the angle required for a solid downward strike. After that they just have to maintain the angle through the swing. Do the same and you'll make smooth, solid contact every time. (Oh yeah!)

RORY WAS IMPRESSIVE in the WGC Cadillac but Danny Willett's brilliant Match Play debut was just as memorable. 28 year old Willett, from Sheffield, said afterwards he was sorry to have lost the semi final to Gary Woodland but was thrilled to have beaten Jim Furyk in the consolation match playoff and reached the World Top 40. The interviewer, obviously having trouble with Danny's Yorkshire accent, and not sure whether to say ‘Hard Luck or Well Done!' just patted him on the back.

‘TOPGOLF' LOOKS LIKE A CROSS between a bowling alley and sports bar. Players hit golf balls with sensors into huge, coloured holes that act as targets on a green. Add a cocktail bar, loud Top 40 music and a gastropub menu and you have the latest sports craze.

Twins Steve and Dave Jolliffe opened the first TopGolf in Watford in 2004. By 2007, they had opened two more in England and three in the United States. In 2011, they sold TopGolf for more than $28 million to private investors including Callaway. Everything has been redesigned to cater for a younger audience, playing pool or video games while awaiting their turn.

"You're seeing a whole new group being introduced to the game, who ordinarily wouldn't go anywhere near a golf course,” says Steve Joliffe. To be honest, we probably wouldn't want them anywhere near it either.

Until next time: Happy Golfing.
Contact Mick for your regripping and repair requirements.
Tel: 638 859 475.

Spain like many European countries uses the D'Hondt voting system. If any party receives less than 5% of the total votes cast then their votes are not taken into account and are discarded. In Orihuela's 2007 local elections Claro received 800 votes w...

Spanish senate prepares to reject amendment to protect consumers who purchaser a property in good faith As Spain gears up for an influx of foreign visitors, many of whom succumb to the temptation to buy their dream home in the sun, the home owner's ca...

It is with surprise, that we read the negative comments regarding part of the cycling lanes in the press. We fully understand that a complete separate cycling lane always is the best option, but in many streets this is not possible and especially in Cabo Roig the parking spaces had to be taken in consideration. Therefore in the drafting of …

Electrical retailer Media Markt opens the doors to its 75 shop in Spain on Thursday, located at the La Marina shopping centre in Finestrat near Benidorm. Much like their other stores around the area, the shop offers access to some 40,000 products, from Smartphones and wearables, to televisions and washing machines.

American rock music band The Flamin’ Groovies, popular in the 60´s and 70´s, have announced a mini tour of Spain. Founded in San Francisco in 1965, their greatest hit is considered to be “Shake Some Action”, which was featured in the 1995 film Clueless, covered by another American band, Cracker. The group will perform in Alicante on the 9th of …