Spanish Practices – Living in Spain: Real Life, Real Spain

Thinking of bringing your British car to Spain? Before you start dreaming about saving thousands of pounds, I think there's one important question you need to ask yourself: will importing your car actually save you money? In this episode of Spanish Practices – Real Life, Real Spain, I look at the costs, complications and occasional absurdities of bringing a UK-registered car to Spain after Brexit. From customs paperwork, import taxes and Spanish registration to ITV inspections, insurance, spare parts and the dreaded Certificate of Conformity, there's rather more to consider than simply putting your car on a ferry. And then there's the everyday reality of driving a right-hand-drive car on Spanish roads. Ever tried reaching a Mercadona parking ticket machine from the wrong side of the car? Or judging a gap at a Spanish roundabout when you're sitting on the opposite side to the one you're used to? I have a few thoughts on that, too! I also look at the particular challenges of importing a British motorhome, the…

Is Spain's socialist government delivering a better quality of life, or is America's capitalist approach offering a better route to financial security? In Episode 215 of Spanish Practices – Real Life, Real Spain, I compare the economies, lifestyles and competing ideas shaping life in Spain and the United States. Spain's economy is performing strongly, but behind the impressive GDP figures lies a growing housing crisis, rising rents and wages that often struggle to keep pace with the cost of living. For many young Spaniards, getting a job is no longer enough to guarantee a home of their own. So, if Spain is getting richer, why are so many people finding it harder to get ahead? Across the Atlantic, America's entrepreneurial culture and emphasis on personal wealth offer a different perspective. John explores the controversial economic realities facing American households, the American Dream, and the Trump Accounts initiative designed to give eligible children a financial head start through government-backed…

There's a cemetery just outside Salobreña that I drive past all the time. It looks peaceful enough. Whitewashed walls, flowers, rows of graves and you can see the castle and the Mediterranean down in front of you. But beneath that ground may be the remains of people who have been waiting nearly ninety years to be found. In this episode of Spanish Practices, I explore the forgotten history of the Spanish Civil War in Salobreña, and the archaeological search now taking place for Civil War and post-Civil War graves in the town. I tell the story of two Salobreña brothers, José and Juan Esparrell Alaminos, who were taken from their home in February 1937 and murdered during the terrible aftermath of the fall of Málaga. Their story takes us back to La Desbandá — the desperate flight of tens of thousands of civilians from Málaga towards Almería. Families fleeing along the coast were attacked from the sea and air, including by German and Italian aircraft supporting Franco's forces. Many died along the way, including…

Why does Spain celebrate Christopher Columbus — and why is his legacy still so controversial? Today the 12 October, Spain celebrates Hispanic Day (Día de la Hispanidad), its national day, with a spectacular military parade in Madrid. But behind the flags, fighter jets and public holiday lies a much more complicated story. In this short episode of Spanish Practices – Real Life, Real Spain, I explore what Hispanic Day actually commemorates, how Christopher Columbus set sail from Spain in 1492 in search of a route to Asia, and why his arrival in the Caribbean changed the world forever. But did Columbus really discover America? What about the millions of Indigenous people already living there? And how do we reconcile Spain's extraordinary cultural legacy in the Americas with the conquest, exploitation and suffering that accompanied its empire? From Spanish national pride to the darker consequences of European colonisation, I look at the history behind one of Spain's most important public holidays — and why the…

Driving in Spain can sometimes feel like an exercise in expecting the unexpected. In this episode of Spanish Practices, I take a humorous look at what it's really like behind the wheel in Spain — from the mysterious art of navigating Spanish roundabouts and the sometimes flexible relationship with lane markings, arrows and indicators, to the motorbikes that seem to appear from nowhere and the ever-watchful Guardia Civil de Tráfico. I also look at the wonderfully relaxed Spanish driving culture, why you sometimes need to anticipate what another driver is going to do rather than simply watch what they are doing, and the things you definitely shouldn't be doing while driving — from wearing flip-flops and using earphones to texting, FaceTiming or attempting to eat your lunch at the wheel. I'll also talk about drink driving, Spanish traffic fines and that remarkable little card machine carried by traffic officers. But for all the differences, driving in Spain has a huge upside. Get away from the towns and cities…

What does it really take to build your dream home in Spain? When we bought our Spanish house in 2016, we thought we'd found paradise. A wreck of a house, yes… but with spectacular views across the Mediterranean to Morocco. What could possibly go wrong? Quite a lot, as it turned out. There was no electricity, no proper drainage and the house had actually moved more than two centimetres after the Spanish authorities cut into the mountainside for a new road. We had no idea about Spanish building licences, the difference between obra menor and obra mayor, planning permission, architects, structural engineers or just how complicated building a house in Spain could become. In this episode of Spanish Practices, I take you through our very real experience of renovating and extending a property on the Costa Tropical — from the €10,000-plus electricity saga and a 75-metre trench, to new drainage, extra bedrooms, an infinity pool, terraces, a hot tub, outdoor kitchen and the latest project: adding two more bedrooms to…

Look Up! The Naughty Architecture of Spain Think Spanish architecture is all cathedrals, castles and grand Gothic buildings? Think again. Look closely — or, more accurately, look up — and Spain's historic buildings reveal a much cheekier side. In this episode of Spanish Practices – Real Life, Real Spain, I go hunting for the rude, ridiculous and downright outrageous details hidden in Spanish architecture. We start at La Lonja de la Seda in Valencia, where medieval gargoyles include dragons, monsters, grotesques… and one particularly memorable gentleman who is rather enthusiastically holding his own dinky doo! And he's not alone. We head north to Cantabria and the remarkable Romanesque church of San Pedro de Cervatos, where centuries-old carvings include naked figures, exposed genitals and some spectacularly bawdy medieval sculpture. Then there's Salamanca, where a modern stonemason continued the tradition of slipping unexpected jokes into historic buildings — including an astronaut on a cathedral and a devil…

In this episode of Spanish Practices, I look beyond the shocking images to ask what actually happened. Why did Maricarmen lose her tenancy? Was she offered alternative accommodation? Who is Urbagestión, the company behind the property? Were the police and social services right to proceed as they did? And what does being forced from the home you've known for more than seven decades do to an elderly person? But Maricarmen's story is also part of something much bigger: Spain's housing crisis. Rents have surged, affordable housing is desperately scarce and the gap between wages and housing costs is growing. With Madrid now at the centre of a national debate over rent controls, evictions and the future of the rental market, what is actually driving Spain's housing crisis — and what might realistically fix it? One woman. One home. One eviction. And a housing crisis affecting millions of Spaniards. UPDATE: Maricarmen Abascal is going home. Just days after Spain watched the 87-year-old wheelchair user being carried…

Is Spain falling out of love with the British tourist? From Magaluf and Ibiza to Benidorm, Spain is changing the way it deals with drunken party tourism. I'm going to take a look at the crackdown on excessive drinking, pub crawls and all-inclusive booze holidays — and ask whether Spain now wants fewer tourists spending more, rather than millions arriving for cheap beer and sunshine. With personal stories from life on the Costa Tropical, the reality of mass tourism, overflowing bins, blocked sewers and even the arrival of the Ratadonna Supermarket. I think Spain isn't saying "Brits, go home." It's saying: come and enjoy Spain — but behave yourself. Spanish Practices – Real Life, Real Spain. Subscribe to this Podcast it really helps me make more of the same.

Casual Cruelty in Spain - Dogs, Birds and Bullfighting Eight puppies in a rubbish bin. A dog abandoned on a piece of string. Birds shot for sport and a little rescue dog called Skippy who survived unimaginable abuse. In this unsettling episode of Spanish Practices, I ask why casual cruelty to animals still exists in Spain — and whether attitudes are finally changing. PLEASE subscribe ot follow this Podcast it really help us make more of these episodes.

Spain's economy is booming in 2026 — and foreign workers are playing a surprisingly big role. Why are migrants filling jobs, paying taxes and helping drive economic growth — and what does it mean for Spain's future? From immigration and employment to Spanish schools, education and the future of our children, I will ask and try to answer a really tough question...whether Spain can turn today's growth into tomorrow's prosperity?

Am I really living in Spain — or have I simply created a little Britain in the sunshine? In this episode, I'll explore what integration really means, from language and Spanish culture to friendship, acceptance and belonging. I'll ask why so many expats stay inside familiar British bubbles — and whether that can quietly limit our happiness and wellbeing. I'll also look at the reality of being an outsider, accepting that Spain will sometimes frustrate us, and finding peace with the things we may never fully understand. Because moving to Spain isn't just a change of country — it can be an opportunity to change the way we live, think and feel.

Think the Spanish Inquisition was something that happened in a dark corner of old Europe? Think again. Spain's infamous religious police crossed the Atlantic — and its reach extended into territories that are now part of the United States. In Episode 204, I uncover the surprisingly American story of the Inquisition: the denunciations, secret accusations, torture, confiscated fortunes and spectacular public punishments — and discover what it was actually doing in places like Florida, California and New Mexico. And yes, there's even a Monty Python connection. The Spanish Inquisition came to America. Nobody expected that.

Moving to Spain? Don't buy that dream home just yet! 🇪🇸 Could AI save you from making an expensive mistake when buying property in Spain? John Metson discovers how AI can investigate Spanish estate agents, solicitors, directors, reviews, town halls, local news, planning issues and even the Spanish bureaucracy. But there's a catch: AI can be spectacularly wrong. So how do you use AI for Spanish property research and due diligence without getting fooled by the machine — or the estate agent? Before you send that deposit, let AI do your homework. A quick EU compliance note before we begin. The introduction to this episode deliberately uses an AI-generated version of my voice, created using ElevenLabs. The words, opinions and content are mine — the voice you hear just in this introduction has simply been generated using AI.

🔥 Could a donkey help save your Spanish home from a wildfire? Spain is facing a new generation of wildfires — hotter, faster and increasingly impossible to fight in the traditional way. So what happens when climate change, abandoned countryside and 40°C+ summers collide? And if you're dreaming of buying a home in Spain, should any of this change your plans? In this episode of Spanish Practices, I'll take a look at Spain's terrifying new era of mega-fires, why some fires are now creating their own weather, and the surprising return of an old Spanish hero: the donkey. 🐴 Could millions of grazing animals actually help prevent wildfires? 🏡 Should Americans still be buying property in Spain? 🔥 And why might prevention, rather than firefighting, be the only realistic answer? It's a serious problem — but, as usual, there's a wonderful Spanish twist. And it involves a donkey having breakfast.

In this special report, we look at the escalating crisis in Ceuta, the conflicting reports over how many migrants remain, violence on the beaches, people-smuggling boats, Spain's €25 million response, the planned Ceuta Day protests, and the complicated relationship between Spain and Morocco. But what does any of this mean if you're thinking about buying property in Spain?

Thinking of leaving America for the perfect life in Spain? Cheap healthcare, endless sunshine, affordable living and a slower pace of life? Think again. After nearly ten years living in Spain, I will reveal the reality behind the romantic Spanish dream — from 230-volt disasters and language barriers to nudist beaches, Spanish bureaucracy, healthcare, shopping, customer service and a very different attitude to life. Spain can be wonderful. But it isn't America with tapas and better weather. Before you move to Spain, listen to this. AI disclosure: none used

Why Does My Spanish Bathroom Smell? The Plumbing Mystery Explained There comes a moment when you realise you've properly moved to Spain. It's not your first fiesta. It's not ordering a café con leche in Spanish. It's standing in your beautifully clean bathroom, sniffing suspiciously and asking: "Why does that smell of drains?" Welcome to the peculiar world of Spanish plumbing. In this episode of Spanish Practices, I go beneath the tiles to investigate one of those little differences about living in Spain that nobody thinks to mention before you move here. Where's the U-bend under the sink? What's that mysterious round plate in the bathroom floor? Why can an unused shower suddenly start sharing the aroma of the sewer system with the rest of the house? And why does everything start gurgling ominously when the heavens open? We'll discover the Spanish central floor trap, what happens when its water evaporates in the summer heat, why flushing one thing can occasionally upset another — and why the Spanish solution…

Live Rent-Free in Spain? The Motorhome Loophole That Isn't Buy a motorhome. Drive to Spain. Park beside the Mediterranean. Open the door, make a coffee and congratulate yourself on discovering the ultimate way to live in Spain without paying rent. Simple. Except Spain may have a few questions. Motorhome and campervan living is booming, fuelled by rising property prices, scarce rental accommodation and the irresistible idea of swapping the mortgage for a home on wheels. But can you really just park somewhere beautiful and… live there? In this episode of Spanish Practices, I investigate the increasingly popular world of van life in Spain — and the rather important legal difference between parking and camping. Put out your chairs? Camping. Extend the awning? Camping. Start turning a peaceful beachfront car park into a small branch of Glastonbury with chemical toilets? The local Ayuntamiento may take an interest. We'll look at why Spanish coastal towns are tightening the rules, why campsites are increasingly…

Three thousand years of Spanish history. Ten minutes. What could possibly go wrong? In this episode of Spanish Practices, I'm attempting the almost certainly foolish task of explaining the history of Spain without drowning you in kings, dates or men with impressive facial hair pointing at maps. Instead, we're following the ordinary people who didn't make history — they simply had to survive it. Meet Tarek, an Iberian farmer from a town unfortunately called Arse, worrying about his goats in 500 BC. There's Lucius, a Roman laundryman cleaning togas with urine; Aisha, cast out from the splendour of the Alhambra; a nervous merchant in Seville discovering that nobody really does expect the Spanish Inquisition; and a Republican woman learning to whisper after Franco's victory. Along the way we'll squeeze in Iberians, Romans, Visigoths, Al-Andalus, the Reconquista, Columbus, the Spanish Empire, Napoleon, Civil War, dictatorship and Spain's remarkable transition to democracy. Because Spain's history isn't really a…

Spain Wants Digital Nomads – But Is It Really That Simple? Imagine swapping the commute for a laptop overlooking the Mediterranean. Spain has become one of the world's most attractive destinations for remote workers — and its Digital Nomad Visa offers non-EU professionals a legal route to actually live here while working abroad. But before you pack the laptop and sunglasses, there's rather more to it than sunshine and fast broadband. In this episode of Spanish Practices, I look at how Spain's Digital Nomad Visa works, who can apply, the income requirements, bringing your family and the possible route from temporary residence to making Spain your permanent home. We also tackle the bit some glossy relocation websites don't put next to the photograph of somebody working beside a swimming pool: tax. When do you become Spanish tax resident? What is the so-called Beckham Law? What happens if you're self-employed? And why might the words Modelo 720, social security and Spanish bureaucracy eventually have you…

OR - The Bikini That Changed Spain: How the Package Holiday Conquered the Costas! OR - Bikinis, Benidorm & Brits Abroad: How Tourism Changed Spain How did Spain go from a buttoned-up dictatorship suspicious of bikinis to one of the world's great holiday destinations — and have we now loved it a little too much? In this summer repeat of Spanish Practices, I travel back to the birth of the great British package holiday, when guaranteed sunshine, cheap sangria and a week on the Costa suddenly became affordable to ordinary British families. There's the extraordinary story of the Mayor of Benidorm, a Vespa and the bikini that helped change Spanish tourism; memories of those tantalising 1970s holiday brochures; my own childhood disappointment at swapping the promised glamour of Majorca for a trip to Maldon; and the unstoppable rise of the Brits-abroad package holiday. But then we come back to Spain today. More than 90 million visitors, packed cities and beaches, holiday rentals, housing shortages and increasingly…

Ever wondered why Mercadona is often called one of the most profitable supermarkets in the world? In this light-hearted episode of Spanish Practices, we explore its fascinating history—from a humble family butcher's shop in Valencia to a retail powerhouse across Spain. We dive into how Mercadona has reinvented the supermarket experience with energy-efficient stores, hot takeaway food, and even places to sit and eat. Plus, we uncover the story behind the famously catchy Mercadona jingle (sí, that one stuck in your head) and the voice behind it. Expect humour, insights into Spanish shopping culture, and plenty of relatable moments if you've ever gone in for milk and come out with a full basket. Perfect for expats, Spain lovers, and anyone curious about everyday life in Spain. The Mercadona Jingle, composed by Lluís Miquel Campos, vocalist Mamen García, reproduced under UK Fair Dealing Law 1988 Sections 29/30 Revised repeat EU AI Disclosure the final long form music is AI generated by Envato/Shutterstock

What was it like watching television in Franco's Spain? In this episode of Spanish Practices – Real Life, Real Spain, John looks back at the early days of Spanish TV and the surprising influence of British favourites including Thunderbirds, Captain Scarlet, The Avengers, The Prisoner and Doctor Who. Plus, a personal encounter with Thunderbirds creator Gerry Anderson — and the day Lady Penelope and Parker turned up in a London radio studio. A nostalgic and humorous journey through Spanish television, British TV in Spain and life in 1960s Spain.

A glamorous London television presenter. A deadly accident. Or the perfect murder? Your holiday audiobook from Spanish Practices. When a visit to the exclusive Lady Dorothy Boutique Hair Salon ends with a daytime television star being electrocuted, private detectives Horace Finch and Violet Hart are drawn behind the bright lights of Metrovision, London's weekday television station. Ruled by the charming cigar smoking Lord Arthur, Metrovision is a world of soaring egos, ruthless ambition and carefully guarded secrets. As the suspects multiply, Finch and Hart discover that everyone is performing a role... and someone is prepared to kill to protect the biggest secret of all. The Shocking Beehive is a gripping 1960s British detective mystery packed with vintage television nostalgia, suspense, humour and unexpected twists. Perfect for fans of classic crime fiction, cosy mysteries, radio drama, Poirot and The Thursday Murder Club.

A glamorous London television presenter. A deadly accident. Or the perfect murder? Your holiday audiobook from Spanish Practices. When a visit to the exclusive Lady Dorothy Boutique Hair Salon ends with a daytime television star being electrocuted, private detectives Horace Finch and Violet Hart are drawn behind the bright lights of Metrovision, London's weekday television station. Ruled by the charming cigar smoking Lord Arthur, Metrovision is a world of soaring egos, ruthless ambition and carefully guarded secrets. As the suspects multiply, Finch and Hart discover that everyone is performing a role... and someone is prepared to kill to protect the biggest secret of all. The Shocking Beehive is a gripping 1960s British detective mystery packed with vintage television nostalgia, suspense, humour and unexpected twists. Perfect for fans of classic crime fiction, cosy mysteries, radio drama, Poirot and The Thursday Murder Club.

A glamorous London television presenter. A deadly accident. Or the perfect murder? Your holiday audiobook from Spanish Practices. When a visit to the exclusive Lady Dorothy Boutique Hair Salon ends with a daytime television star being electrocuted, private detectives Horace Finch and Violet Hart are drawn behind the bright lights of Metrovision, London's weekday television station. Ruled by the charming cigar smoking Lord Arthur, Metrovision is a world of soaring egos, ruthless ambition and carefully guarded secrets. As the suspects multiply, Finch and Hart discover that everyone is performing a role... and someone is prepared to kill to protect the biggest secret of all. The Shocking Beehive is a gripping 1960s British detective mystery packed with vintage television nostalgia, suspense, humour and unexpected twists. Perfect for fans of classic crime fiction, cosy mysteries, radio drama, Poirot and The Thursday Murder Club.

A glamorous London television presenter. A deadly accident. Or the perfect murder? Your holiday audiobook from Spanish Practices. When a visit to the exclusive Lady Dorothy Boutique Hair Salon ends with a daytime television star being electrocuted, private detectives Horace Finch and Violet Hart are drawn behind the bright lights of Metrovision, London's weekday television station. Ruled by the charming cigar smoking Lord Arthur, Metrovision is a world of soaring egos, ruthless ambition and carefully guarded secrets. As the suspects multiply, Finch and Hart discover that everyone is performing a role... and someone is prepared to kill to protect the biggest secret of all. The Shocking Beehive is a gripping 1960s British detective mystery packed with vintage television nostalgia, suspense, humour and unexpected twists. Perfect for fans of classic crime fiction, cosy mysteries, radio drama, Poirot and The Thursday Murder Club.

A glamorous London television presenter. A deadly accident. Or the perfect murder? Your holiday audiobook from Spanish Practices. When a visit to the exclusive Lady Dorothy Boutique Hair Salon ends with a daytime television star being electrocuted, private detectives Horace Finch and Violet Hart are drawn behind the bright lights of Metrovision, London's weekday television station. Ruled by the charming cigar smoking Lord Arthur, Metrovision is a world of soaring egos, ruthless ambition and carefully guarded secrets. As the suspects multiply, Finch and Hart discover that everyone is performing a role... and someone is prepared to kill to protect the biggest secret of all. The Shocking Beehive is a gripping 1960s British detective mystery packed with vintage television nostalgia, suspense, humour and unexpected twists. Perfect for fans of classic crime fiction, cosy mysteries, radio drama, Poirot and The Thursday Murder Club. Production Note: The continuity announcer, Alistair Beauchamp-Smythe, is performed…

What was life really like inside Franco's Spanish prisons? As Busman's Holiday reached its dramatic conclusion, we step away from the beaches of the Costa del Sol and behind the walls of one of the darkest chapters in modern Spanish history. In this special episode of Spanish Practices, we explore the harsh reality of Spanish prisons under General Franco's dictatorship. Discover how political prisoners and ordinary criminals were treated, the role of the Catholic Church inside the prison system, the brutal interrogation methods reported by former detainees, and the terrifying reality of facing the death penalty in Franco's Spain. You'll also learn about the infamous garrote vil—Spain's historic method of capital punishment—and why tourists enjoying sunshine holidays in the 1960s rarely saw this hidden side of the country. This episode provides historical context for the gripping finale of our audio drama, Busman's Holiday, and reveals the Spain that existed beyond the holiday brochures. ⚠️ Listener…

Spanish Practices is taking a short summer break, so enjoy another FREE audiobook from The Marlborough Court Mysteries. In Busman's Holiday, Horace Finch, Violet Hart and Leslie Brown swap London's fog for the sunshine of Spain when a seemingly ordinary package holiday to Torremolinos takes an unexpected turn. Beneath the glamour of the Costa del Sol, espionage, murder and Anglo-Spanish secrets await, leading the trio from bustling beach resorts to the shadow of the Rock of Gibraltar. Perfect for fans of classic British mysteries, 1960s travel nostalgia, vintage Spain and intelligent detective adventures. Can Horace Finch solve the case before the holiday is over, or will this prove to be his first and most dangerous trip abroad? Warning contains historical descriptions of executions.

Spanish Practices is taking a short summer break, so enjoy another FREE audiobook from The Marlborough Court Mysteries. In Busman's Holiday, Horace Finch, Violet Hart and Leslie Brown swap London's fog for the sunshine of Spain when a seemingly ordinary package holiday to Torremolinos takes an unexpected turn. Beneath the glamour of the Costa del Sol, espionage, murder and Anglo-Spanish secrets await, leading the trio from bustling beach resorts to the shadow of the Rock of Gibraltar. Perfect for fans of classic British mysteries, 1960s travel nostalgia, vintage Spain and intelligent detective adventures. Can Horace Finch solve the case before the holiday is over, or will this prove to be his first and most dangerous trip abroad?

Spanish Practices is taking a short summer break, so enjoy another FREE audiobook from The Marlborough Court Mysteries. In Busman's Holiday, Horace Finch, Violet Hart and Leslie Brown swap London's fog for the sunshine of Spain when a seemingly ordinary package holiday to Torremolinos takes an unexpected turn. Beneath the glamour of the Costa del Sol, espionage, murder and Anglo-Spanish secrets await, leading the trio from bustling beach resorts to the shadow of the Rock of Gibraltar. Perfect for fans of classic British mysteries, 1960s travel nostalgia, vintage Spain and intelligent detective adventures. Can Horace Finch solve the case before the holiday is over, or will this prove to be his first and most dangerous trip abroad?

Spanish Practices is taking a short summer break, so enjoy another FREE audiobook from The Marlborough Court Mysteries. In Busman's Holiday, Horace Finch, Violet Hart and Leslie Brown swap London's fog for the sunshine of Spain when a seemingly ordinary package holiday to Torremolinos takes an unexpected turn. Beneath the glamour of the Costa del Sol, espionage, murder and Anglo-Spanish secrets await, leading the trio from bustling beach resorts to the shadow of the Rock of Gibraltar. Perfect for fans of classic British mysteries, 1960s travel nostalgia, vintage Spain and intelligent detective adventures. Can Horace Finch solve the case before the holiday is over, or will this prove to be his first and most dangerous trip abroad?

Spanish Practices is taking a short summer break, so enjoy another FREE audiobook from The Marlborough Court Mysteries. In Busman's Holiday, Horace Finch, Violet Hart and Leslie Brown swap London's fog for the sunshine of Spain when a seemingly ordinary package holiday to Torremolinos takes an unexpected turn. Beneath the glamour of the Costa del Sol, espionage, murder and Anglo-Spanish secrets await, leading the trio from bustling beach resorts to the shadow of the Rock of Gibraltar. Perfect for fans of classic British mysteries, 1960s travel nostalgia, vintage Spain and intelligent detective adventures. Can Horace Finch solve the case before the holiday is over, or will this prove to be his first and most dangerous trip abroad?

Let me take you back sixty years to some of the first Package Holiday's to Spain, Malaga airport is nothing more than a terracotta roofed whitewashed building a rusty Pegaso coach takes you to your hotel, your bed is weirdly firm and breakfast is just coffe, rolls and jam. So much has changed. This is an introduction to another FREE Audiobook, while we take a little break, maybe walk across the non-existent border to Gibralter and get a meal deal from Morrisons. This story is called Busman's Holiday and it starts this Wednesday for five sizzling episodes.

Spanish Practices is taking a short summer break, so enjoy another FREE audiobook from The Marlborough Court Mysteries. In Dead Air, Horace Finch investigates murder, payola and pirate radio in swinging 1960s Britain. As Radio Rebecca battles to stay on air, a firebomb attack, a suspicious death and a chart record with a hidden secret lead Finch into one of his most dangerous investigations yet. Perfect for fans of classic British mysteries, vintage broadcasting and 1960s nostalgia.

Spanish Practices is taking a short summer break, so enjoy another FREE audiobook from The Marlborough Court Mysteries. In Dead Air, Horace Finch investigates murder, payola and pirate radio in swinging 1960s Britain. As Radio Rebecca battles to stay on air, a firebomb attack, a suspicious death and a chart record with a hidden secret lead Finch into one of his most dangerous investigations yet. Perfect for fans of classic British mysteries, vintage broadcasting and 1960s nostalgia.

Spanish Practices is taking a short summer break, so enjoy another FREE audiobook from The Marlborough Court Mysteries. In Dead Air, Horace Finch investigates murder, payola and pirate radio in swinging 1960s Britain. As Radio Rebecca battles to stay on air, a firebomb attack, a suspicious death and a chart record with a hidden secret lead Finch into one of his most dangerous investigations yet. Perfect for fans of classic British mysteries, vintage broadcasting and 1960s nostalgia.

Spanish Practices is taking a short summer break, so enjoy another FREE audiobook from The Marlborough Court Mysteries. In Dead Air, Horace Finch investigates murder, payola and pirate radio in swinging 1960s Britain. As Radio Rebecca battles to stay on air, a firebomb attack, a suspicious death and a chart record with a hidden secret lead Finch into one of his most dangerous investigations yet. Perfect for fans of classic British mysteries, vintage broadcasting and 1960s nostalgia.

Spanish Practices is taking a short summer break, so enjoy another FREE audiobook from The Marlborough Court Mysteries. In Dead Air, Horace Finch investigates murder, payola and pirate radio in swinging 1960s Britain. As Radio Rebecca battles to stay on air, a firebomb attack, a suspicious death and a chart record with a hidden secret lead Finch into one of his most dangerous investigations yet. Perfect for fans of classic British mysteries, vintage broadcasting and 1960s nostalgia.

Spanish Practices is taking a short summer break, so enjoy another FREE audiobook from The Marlborough Court Mysteries. In Dead Air, Horace Finch investigates murder, payola and pirate radio in swinging 1960s Britain. As Radio Rebecca battles to stay on air, a firebomb attack, a suspicious death and a chart record with a hidden secret lead Finch into one of his most dangerous investigations yet. Perfect for fans of classic British mysteries, vintage broadcasting and 1960s nostalgia. © 2026 Creative Radio Partnership Ltd. All rights reserved. The Marlborough Court Mysteries and all associated characters, stories and audio productions are the intellectual property of Creative Radio Partnership Ltd and may not be reproduced, distributed or transmitted in any form without prior written permission. Ai has been used to create artwork only. The plot, writing and audio recordings are all Hi (Human Intelligence)

Spanish Practices is taking a short summer break... but I didn't want to leave you without something to enjoy! So, for the next few weeks, I'm giving you a FREE audiobook – The Marlborough Court Mysteries. Join former Scotland Yard detective Horace Finch as he investigates a baffling murder beneath the streets of 1960s London in The Vicar's Last Confession. Expect classic British detective storytelling, Cold War intrigue, hidden conspiracies and plenty of Swinging Sixties atmosphere. Perfect listening by the pool, on the beach, or wherever your Spanish summer takes you. Normal Spanish Practices returns after the summer.

Spanish Practices is taking a short summer break... but I didn't want to leave you without something to enjoy! So, for the next few weeks, I'm giving you a FREE audiobook – The Marlborough Court Mysteries. Join former Scotland Yard detective Horace Finch as he investigates a baffling murder beneath the streets of 1960s London in The Vicar's Last Confession. Expect classic British detective storytelling, Cold War intrigue, hidden conspiracies and plenty of Swinging Sixties atmosphere. Perfect listening by the pool, on the beach, or wherever your Spanish summer takes you. Normal Spanish Practices returns after the summer.

Spanish Practices is taking a short summer break... but I didn't want to leave you without something to enjoy! So, for the next few weeks, I'm giving you a FREE audiobook – The Marlborough Court Mysteries. Join former Scotland Yard detective Horace Finch as he investigates a baffling murder beneath the streets of 1960s London in The Vicar's Last Confession. Expect classic British detective storytelling, Cold War intrigue, hidden conspiracies and plenty of Swinging Sixties atmosphere. Perfect listening by the pool, on the beach, or wherever your Spanish summer takes you. Normal Spanish Practices returns after the summer.

Spanish Practices is taking a short summer break... but I didn't want to leave you without something to enjoy! So, for the next few weeks, I'm giving you a FREE audiobook – The Marlborough Court Mysteries. Join former Scotland Yard detective Horace Finch as he investigates a baffling murder beneath the streets of 1960s London in The Vicar's Last Confession. Expect classic British detective storytelling, Cold War intrigue, hidden conspiracies and plenty of Swinging Sixties atmosphere. Perfect listening by the pool, on the beach, or wherever your Spanish summer takes you. Normal Spanish Practices returns after the summer.

Spanish Practices is taking a short summer break... but I didn't want to leave you without something to enjoy! So, for the next few weeks, I'm giving you a FREE audiobook – The Marlborough Court Mysteries. Join former Scotland Yard detective Horace Finch as he investigates a baffling murder beneath the streets of 1960s London in The Vicar's Last Confession. Expect classic British detective storytelling, Cold War intrigue, hidden conspiracies and plenty of Swinging Sixties atmosphere. Perfect listening by the pool, on the beach, or wherever your Spanish summer takes you. Normal Spanish Practices returns after the summer. © 2026 Creative Radio Partnership Ltd. All rights reserved. The Marlborough Court Mysteries and all associated characters, stories and audio productions are the intellectual property of Creative Radio Partnership Ltd and may not be reproduced, distributed or transmitted in any form without prior written permission.

This summer, Spanish Practices takes a different turn. Join me for the first of The Marlborough Court Mysteries, a series of bite-sized 1960s detective stories featuring private investigator Horace Finch. From Cold War conspiracies beneath London to pirate radio murders and the first package holidays to Spain's Costa del Sol, these atmospheric mysteries blend real history with classic British crime. Perfect listening by the pool, on the beach, or wherever your Spanish summer takes you.

*]:pointer-events-auto R6Vx5W_threadScrollVars scroll-mb-[calc(var(--scroll-root-safe-area-inset-bottom,0px)+var(--thread-response-height))] scroll-mt-[calc(var(--header-height)+min(200px,max(70px,20svh)))]" dir="auto" data-turn-id= "request-6a3000a0-b39c-83eb-bd98-b67a98d786a1-3" data-turn-id-container= "request-6a3000a0-b39c-83eb-bd98-b67a98d786a1-3" data-testid= "conversation-turn-8" data-turn="assistant"> What really happens in Spain after San Juan? In this episode of Spanish Practices, I explore the great Spanish summer getaway — from midnight sea rituals and bonfires on the beach to empty town halls, vanished officials, delayed paperwork, Amazon delivery chaos, packed beaches and fiestas everywhere. A funny, affectionate look at why Spain seems to shut down for summer… and why normal life doesn't really return until autumn.

Have you ever felt that the customer is always wrong? In this episode of Spanish Practices, I explore the fascinating, frustrating and often hilarious world of customer service in Spain. From a refrigerator that was dropped down a flight of stairs, to a missing-key tuna tin that somehow found its way back onto a supermarket shelf, these are real stories of refunds, complaints, bureaucracy and consumer rights on the Costa Tropical. I also take a look at Spain's consumer protection systems, including the OMIC (Oficina Municipal de Información al Consumidor) and the famous Hoja de Reclamaciones, the official complaint form that every business is required to provide. Along the way you'll hear tales of impossible refunds, luxury car dealerships, recalled water heaters, telephone contract nightmares and the mountains of paperwork that can appear when only a few euros are at stake. A humorous look at what happens when Spanish bureaucracy meets everyday consumer problems—and how things may finally be changing for…