EUROPEAN DRIVING LICENCE AND THE SPANISH VERSION

There was some panic on the Costa, as expatriates read various irresponsibly written articles, which were recently published in a few of our English language newspapers.  These apparently informative articles, with titles such as; ‘New European ruling,  a medical certificate must accompany your European driving licence to legalise the permission’  One of the authors was either lethargic or solely interested in sensationalistic titles, obviously without checking his or her information,  readers were provided with a link which lead them to the British embassy website.  Sigh of relief?  No wait for it, this link was supplying useful information from DVLA.  This is handy if you are living in the UK and you are seeking information regarding your British driving licence.  

Whatever the rules from Europe, Spain or any other European countries, the facts are confusing. Trafico have had to do their homework but do not appear to have the solution.  They too suggest that there is a law which agrees with the health test.  Until there is some logical and consensual information, my suggestion is that you either continue with your present licence or, (as the Spanish law states) ‘residents in Spain, must conform to Spanish laws’ this taken literally means, changing your permit for the Spanish equivalent.

Changing you licence is a simple process.  A Spanish model is very useful both relieving you of any problems with the traffic police and as an additional form of identity.  For those using addresses in the UK to continue to illegally renew their licences in the UK will find that this avenue will in time, be closed to them. Please note; the official medical testing centres, will only provide you with a medical certificate valid for three months, this (where necessary) used to exchange your licence.  You will not be provided with a certificate for five or ten years. This is only available with a Spanish licence.  For those who have already taken a medical test, please check at the bottom of the certificate where you will see printed ‘caducado en tres meses’ (expires in three months).

NO LOSE SITUATION FOR LAWYER¡S IN SPAIN

We had until a few years back, experienced long periods of what was commonly known as the second property boom.  Besides criminal and domestic affairs, Spanish lawyers were inundated with work.  Their potential clients were buying off plan, on plan and even no plan properties.  Then, the crisis was suddenly upon us and the need to employ legal assistance dried up for a while.  

During this period, attorneys were still making a decent living, most reverting back to the type of cases that they had graduated from various universities to perform.  With the slump in the property market there was now a glut of unfinished, unpaid for and even illegal properties on the market.  

Many of the promoters and builders eventually disappeared.  Some were to commence building in other countries.  Others went underground for a while.  Several went bankrupt, only to start up again with new companies.  Only the minority, ended up in the courts. 

The dreadful news, that many purchasers were not going to obtain the properties, which were rightfully theirs, brought back the queues to the doors of the same lawyers who had acted for them in the past.  They would now be responsible for presiding over the claims to be put into the courts.  This, in order to try to recoup the massive payments made on the same properties, which they had assisted their clients to purchase in the first place.  These dwellings had either not been allotted to the rightful owners, completed, or were about to be embargoed by the banks.  For these very reasons, it has been a no lose situation for lawyers in Spain.

ROSALINDA POWELL FOX. EL MUNDO

http://www.elmundo.es/suplementos/cronica/2009/738/1260658812.html

ROSALINDA POWELL FOX. DAUGHTER OF THE RAJ

http://www.eyeonspain.com/blogs/myracecilia/1798/blog_post.aspx?blog=myracecilia&post=1798

Spain and Reliving The Years 1936-41

I need to finish an article on this subject, still coming to terms with my sentiments after spending Friday morning interviewing archeologists, who were working in the baking sun to excavate remains of the second largest mass grave recently discovered. 

There in front of me were the skeletons of 125 allegedly republican sympathizers (3 women) their deaths date from the civil war 1936 and to around 1941. Contemptuously thrown, into a 25 meter long hole along with their meager belongings, they had on them when arrested, money medals on chains, buttons, and shoes which had been made from the rubber of tyres. 40 families linked to these assassinations are still alive today. 

The most gratifying moment for these archeologists will be when, the remains are identified and returned to the relative families who can then give their loved ones a dignified burial. I took numerous photographs which I will publish with the completed article. Included is a second photo of the last vision of their village as they were lined up against the local cemetery wall to be executed without trial.  May they rest in peace.

Rosalinda Powell fox, daughter of the Raj and Spain

A woman has not lived, unless she has been loved and hated, envied and talked about

Japanese proverb 

I have been lucky enough to have spent many hours talking, asking questions and passing many a warm afternoon in the shade of the flower scented patio at the home of this great aristocratic and beautiful woman who passed away at the enviable age of ninety six.

Rosalinda daughter of the Raj spent most of her youth in India where she married at the tender age of 16.   After given birth to her only child Jonny, she developed bovine tuberculosis. Diagnosed as incurable her husband lost interest in his ailing wife and with a pension of 30 pounds a month she rejoined her family in Britain.  Her mother and sisters concerned for her feeble health sent her to Switzerland to be treated by a family friend and well known doctor.

 Strapped to her bed with her small son by her side and a typewriter gently resting on her chest, she began to write her enchanting book later to be published under the title “The Grass and the Asphalt” Bored and jaded Rosalinda called her medic and posed the question about her life expectancy.  ‘Seven to eight years if you stay in bed’  ‘Bring me my clothes she ordered’ and in 1935 headed to warmer climates.  Spain and Portugal would be more beneficial for her delicate health.  With the intimidation of her mortality always present she began her mysterious adventures.

Whilst attending the German Olympics in 1936 she met the then Spanish military attaché in Berlin, Colonel Juan Luis Beigbeder who would later become her lover and subsequently minister for the exterior in the Government of Francisco Franco.  Her relationship with this interesting man, many years her senior was to have serious repercussions on Rosalinda’s life.  During World War II Franco suspected her of spying for the British.  Britain took the opposing view and she was refused entry into Gibraltar.  Undeniably she had a great influence on Col. Beigbeder, one of the motives for which Franco had Beigbeder put under house arrest in Ronda. Rumour has it that Churchill stated ‘the war might have taken a very different course where it not for Rosalinda’ Spain had courted the Axis powers during Franco’s rule. 

Rosalinda was also arrested in Morocco by the French when she alleged that she was an unwilling witness to the French army’s intention to invade the Spanish zone. It leaves little to the imagination as to why this robust voyager had driven miles to the French area on a road hardly fit for donkeys.

This most unusual and valiant lady was indeed a bizarre sight driving around Spain in a Rolls Royce. She also spent time in the famous cafes of Madrid frequented by members of Franco’s government and high society.    She travelled to Portugal when it became too dangerous for anyone implicated with the regime to stay in Spain. There she was known to have collaborated with the American intelligence services.

With the end of the war, Rosalinda headed to Guadarranque where she bought a property to await the release of her cherished Juan. Here he would live out the rest of his life enjoying the views across the bay to his much beloved Africa.  Their personal house was built and the interior refurbished with exquisite carved wood from their residence in Tetuan. It had been rather painful for me to have learnt that the present habitants of the property have removed some of these wooden panels.                     

On the shore of the bay of Gibraltar, this little haven comprised of several chozas (huts) where few locals resided. Rosalinda immediately ordered the building of brick houses, which to this day have the British bulldog above their entrances.  She also had a small wall erected to prevent the river flooding the village and planted many trees. This articulate personality planned and spoke about her plans for a book about her existence in this locality.   Unfortunately she was never to write the book and to this day the facts relating to her life and properties, in what is still a small hamlet are obscured by intrigue and mystery. But this is another story

Feliz Navidad. Written for the expatriate community via The Resident.

The difficulties experienced by the non Spanish communities when trying to talk to the Spanish service providers is evident. Long term residents who speak the  Spanish language still have to struggle when dealing with the bureaucracy or some other entity with an issue that should be quite simple, like communicating with the water or electric board or the telephone companies. Firstly you try by phone. If you are lucky and persist that means not put the phone down after 20 minutes and add to that the cost of almost the same figure in euro. Not enough that you find that you have been overcharged on your latest bill but to have to use an expensive phone line to try to communicate that to somebody. Be careful asking for an operator who speaks English. If you are fortunate, twenty more expensive minutes later and you could hear an engaged tone. This is frustrating when you have just explained the problem for the third time to someone who does speak your language. Try getting back to that person. You have more chance of winning the lottery. If you do get through, have at least some knowledge of uno dos tres and up the fourteen in Spanish, depending on the department you think you may need to assist you. One presumes that you have given up when you drag yourself out to visit the relevant office. Take a flask and a folding chair. If you are wondering why various locals who entered fifteen minutes later than you, steps up to the counter just when you thought, after patiently tapping your foot that at last it was your turn. This is easily explained. They were in earlier, claimed his or her place in the queue and then went off to have a coffee or do some shopping to return just in time to reclaim their position ignoring the ever growing line of people. Be prepared, whichever service provider you are dealing with and whatever the problem, it will always be your fault. I am told by a Spaniard that it is pride that prohibits a Spaniard from saying “sorry our mistake” Ever heard that expression here? When you do get to the counter and the person serving you is somewhat a little grumpy because it’s now lunch time. Stand your ground. If you falter due to nerves and the poor knowledge of the language, you are lost. You will be sent off with a plethora of excuses. You know the standard ones. “No not this department or you need your NIE, passport, birth certificate, padron or nota simple and don’t forget whatever age you are, your parents names” If the strain takes over and you forget that your dear mum was called Agnes, make up a name. Then as you attempt your best Spanish, it slowly dawns on the nice person behind the counter that you are going to be hard work. Look out for the slow but obvious changing facial expressions and the straining as if you cannot be heard. You may be tempted to look behind you to see what smell has entered this space but the truth of the matter is that the person you are trying to communicate with does not have the slightest idea what you are trying to say. Taking your Spanish phrase book with you will only mean that you will be out of the door quicker. It will be immediate proof that this appointment will take some time. As Christmas is upon us, I would like to end on an optimistic note. If your phone packs up, electric supply cuts off or you have no water. You will not have to face any of the abovementioned problems as during the festive season most service providers will be shut or on the anise. Feliz Navidad.