Spanish Practices – Living in Spain: Real Life, Real Spain – Détails, épisodes et analyse

In this episode of Spanish Practices, we travel back to 13th-century Granada to explore the Alhambra Palaces through the eyes of Aisha, a young servant girl living and working under the Nasrid dynasty during the reign of Sultan Muhammad II.

VISIT The Alhambra Palaces and Generalife Gardens HERE

Moving beyond guidebooks and grand history, this immersive historical storytelling episode reveals daily life inside the Alhambra — from the palace's extraordinary water system and laundry stones to court kitchens, gardens, and the unseen labour that sustained one of Spain's greatest monuments.

Set in 1290, The Alhambra: The Eighth Wonder of the World blends social history, Islamic Spain, Moorish architecture, and human perspective, offering a richly atmospheric journey into medieval Andalusia, Granada's Nasrid court, and the quiet lives that made palace life possible.

Spain is facing a new reality of extreme weather — from sudden flooding to the growing threat of summer drought.

In this episode of Spanish Practices, I look at the recent storms affecting Spain, including Storm Leonardo and the approaching Storm Marta, and asks what these events tell us about climate change, infrastructure, and life in modern Spain.

Reflecting on the legacy of the Valencia DANA floods, the episode explores how Spanish emergency services have improved their response to extreme weather, why many towns and cities struggle with storm drainage, and how Spain's historic relationship with water is being tested by today's climate.

Why can Spain experience flooding in winter yet still face drought in summer — even with dams full to overflowing? How do other countries, such as Singapore, manage stormwater differently? And what long-term solutions could help Spain address its growing water challenges?

Thoughtful, grounded, and ultimately hopeful, this episode looks at how Spain is learning to adapt — and how communities are learning to weather the storm.

In this episode at least two reasons among many why we left our leafy Essex town and beautiful four bedroomed bay-fronted Edwardian House and ran off to sunny Spain.

So to the ghosts two arrive from my past. One is a, to be, famous children's author to whom I was spectacularly rude, after which I threw away the first edition of her book about a boy who didn't know he was a wizard. 

The other is a man who once started a little online bookshop with a ridiculous name, well I thought it was when they launched in the UK  — Amazon — though confusingly, his name was, I think Jeff, not Amazon.

Is the new and mandatory in Spain from the start of 2026, Beacon a Beacon of safety or a silly dim flashing light that tracks your car to the Government?

Yes its the controversial V16 Beacon that we have all had to buy, or rather try to buy, amongst the Temu rip offs that aren't a certified beacon. Is it a major step forward in road safety.. Let's find out.

In this episode I am talking about Christmas.

I'm going to look at British Christmas versus Spanish Christmas, and then zoom out to see where Spain quietly shares traditions with the rest of the world… often in surprising ways.

So pop the kettle on, pour a glass of Spanish sherry — depending on which country you emotionally identify with today — and let's dive in.

In this short episode  a clear, realistic, non-salesy view of where the smart money is going in Spain in 2025–2030—and whether property is still the best bet.

I am not a Financial Expert, do not take this episode as any kind of financial advice.  I have collated together trends and data from financial institutions, banks and financial companies.

Spain's GDP grew by 3.5% in 2024 and is forecasted to grow by 2.9% in 2025. 

The growth is being driven by strong domestic demand, particularly household consumption and investment, which is outpacing the euro area.

Is this the time to invest in Spain?

From Mosiquitos to spiders and snakes, there is something lurking or flying around here in Spain that has you on their lunch menu.

How to cope with those tiny assassins and avoid being bitten or worse is what this episode is all about.

This is our real life, in real Spain. Ten years of adventures since swapping our glorious Victorian House in leafy Essex for a tiny flat in a wild Andalusian village. I was once a Radio Producer in London, not a great one.

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If you've ever stubbed your toe in Spain, you'll know that the locals don't just swear — they stage a one-man opera of profanity. Spanish swearing is a glorious symphony of blasphemy, body parts, and creative bowel movements. 

There are a lot of rude words in the episode so please, if you are easily offended, scroll on to the next episode.