good news

That sounds like a bit of positive thinking on behalf of both venues. Good luck with your new venture at the Bell.

There was a fire near Patagonia yesterday. It was the not in the restaurant, but in the "electric meter room". I am informed that all restaurants/bars will have electric tonight.....APART FROM ONE!!! The one that was illegally wired without fuses or meter, and started the fire in the first place! The fire brigade said how lucky everyone was could have been a serious fire with the whole block going up!
The landlord "Alfonzo" would not say which one, just that "they will NOT be getting electricity tonight, or any night soon, after he has finished with them!"
SO, lets see which does not open, and that will be the one that needs to pay for loss of earnings, damaged food etc..
So all you business owners on that block, contact your Landlord, and get the info first hand!

I thought Quesada was bad for rumors, but have to admit La Marina beats us hands down. If its true, maybe Alfonso needs to explain why he's taking rent from a property he owns that's not paying their electric bills?

C'mon Marko, you love all these rumours, otherwise you wouldn't be poking your nose into our forum. Methinks you have too much time on your hands.

Yes, I agree with you marko. Why does anybody have to point the blame?? Why can't it just be an unfortunate accident? All bars and restaurants have been having hard times without people pointing the blame. La Marina for the last few weeks has been alive with people, how lovely this has been to see so many holiday-makers coming back. Without all of the bars and restaurants these people would have no where to go... I've been a loyal customer at the Hogs Head since they opened and have watched how hard they have all worked, I have been to many charity nights, where they have raised thousands of euros for many charities local to our community. Please do not judge on one persons comment. Thank You.

I know I am just interested to see what crap comes up on here, from people who seem to know everything and everyone's business on here ...

There is a lot of crap here you are right, but its not all crap! People were in danger, the police and fire brigade came out.
The owner of all the buildings, Alfonso confirmed that one was wired up without fuses, or trip switches and illegally, hence the fire in the meter room. Why 2 were closed I cannot say, as there was 1 culprit only. I am hearing nothing negative about O'Neals, but I am hearing more and more (crap or fact, not sure?) about Hogs head? So I invite others to put on what they know?
BUT NOTHING actually burnt to the ground, and all the restaurants were capable of opening today, all but 2 never did???

Stockport, I think you'll find that that the forum is based around a Spanish life website and if memory serves me well, it originated from Quesada life. I'm actually researching for quotations for a book that I'm writing "crazy shit that old people say" and from this forum alone, I'm on volume IV. My apologies Mazza, there are only two ways to win an argument with a woman, both don't work.

The rumour is going round and as far Two bars did not open, We for one lost quite a bit of money but they did a fantastic job to get us up and working as I saw the room and it was a mass of burnt cables.Id like to thank the people who helped us on the night, Chris from Los amigos offered us the use of one if his staff to help late prep and the use of one of his ovens if we were short, Customers who took fridge stock back home to store it overnight and thanks to Consum, who allowed us to store our freezer stock in their cold room.

Everybody lost money and food that day! If you cannot make some money in the height of the season, then when? The winters are long and grim! Don't need these problems through the stupiditiy of one? But lets not just think of the profits! There was a full blown fire in the meter room that could have really spread, if it was not for the quick action of some and the fire brigade! They deserve the credit! Patagonia was full of smoke, as the fire started spreading through the suspended ceiling.

It wasn't that bad apart from smoke and damage to wires which where melting, I was obviously there when they opened to door. I was simply saying thanks to the people who helped us. Im fully aware you need to make your money in the summer. But I still don't want to lose a days trade for one idiot (if its even true). Fire, police and electrical workers all did a good job. Maybe find out tonight if any bar is still closed.

Marko, I bet I feature in most of the first 3 volumes. I know I say the daftest things. Sometimes I laugh at myself and think "Did I really just say that". I love daft old women. I think we add humour to life in what can be a dreary world. I just wish people could live by the old maxim "If you can't say something nice, say nothing". I'm so glad the pool man has been able to address the comments about himself. It's hard enough trying to make a living, why can't we give people a fighting chance. At least written comments can be challenged, whispered ones are even worse. Yeah, I know I'm going on again ha ha. Mary Catherine xx

Just to let everyone know I have just been passed hogs head and Paul has put two notices up outside, one is an apology for being closed, and the other is a copy of his iberdorola electric contract which I assume means that everything must be legal as they wouldn't have issued the contract without checking the installation

Mazza, always say that your approaching forty, just don't mention from which direction.

Winterbottom, why spread rumours if you don't know its true?

Winterbottom& sophie,
I don't know who gave you your information, but I will deny all of what you have stated, we have not been fined, as far as I understand there is no reason for us to be fined, we have an Iberdrola contract I have pinned a copy of it on our entrance & notice board if you or anyone would like to examine it, if your are looking for any answers as to why the fire started, it is my opinion that it was just down to an over loaded wiring system that's coming up for 10 years old, never been properly maintained & this time of year in a commercial block with a large amount of bars & restaurants all operating at maximum, large aircon units, electric commercial ovens, fridges, chillers, coffee machines, microwaves, dish & glass washes, lighting, music equipment to name but a few. To point the finger at 1 individual is ridiculous, unless someone is looking for a scape goat. Sorry but your barking up the wrong tree with us.

Must agree with you Marko,The fire incident was less than 48 hours ago, and somehow a 12000 fine plus 700 euros a month has been passed. My first and only thought, is who is trying to kid who, This is Spain, nothing happens in a year let alone a weekend, Can only be a be a rumour at this time and not a very good one at that, Rubbish like what was reported, can do an awful amount of damage to the Bar that people are pointing the finger at. For goodness sake, lets stop this bloody rumour mongering, you are destroying peoples lives.

Just read the Comment by Hogs Head, and entirely concur with his comment.
I personally hope, this was just an unfortunate accident, which will be sorted, although with every accident their is a cause. I hope the cause is found and immediate action taken to make sure it doesn't happen again, not only on the Consum area but everywhere on the Urbs.

Good boy Alan. I have to say I'm very jealous of marko's post. I wish I'd writen it, so witty.Thank heaven that there are some people on my wavelength who don't believe everthing they hear or read. The poor souls must have such a boring lives . Don't they spend their morning watching JK, or the best and latest, "Housewives of ......" lots of places in the USA. See!, I know my limitations, watch tosh, do BIT of housework., go in our lovely little garden with a book, a voddi red and some no beer beer. I love and live my life and it's the laughs that keep me going Mary Catherine xxxx

I have one serious thing to add to this
It was almost exactly a year ago ,On the first day of the Fiesta last year, when all of a sudden all the power around Consum packed up, Street lights and electricity to the bars all failed. Except for the bars attached to the stage power supply and run by the company that set everthing up, the power was alternatively supplied and was not affected. Within no time at all, the rumour mongers were at it. According to them Jeff in cahoots with iberdrola, had arranged the power cut for the stage company to make a killing at there bars. People actually believed it. I lay odds that when these idiots realized what a stupid rumour they were spreading. Not one of them apologized to Jeff
I will lay odds that when the silly rumour mongers realize the stupid rumour they have been spreading, not one of them will have the guts to apologize to the bar they are all busy pointing there finger at.so proving La Marina is not ready to change just yet,If you don't believe me ask any rumour monger.

Right Alan, why do they have to believe these silly rumours. A bit of harmless gossip can be a bit of fun. I feel we're on a mission now to debunk these silly rumours. One problem boy, are we getting as bad as the original old moaners ? Mary Catherine xxx

I stated let them defend themselves, which they have done, well done now we know the truth there will be no more gossip .... And we can defend them so let's hope they get up and running again soon. and no it's not nice being on the end of untrue gossip been there have the t shirt.
now they have had there say all gossip can stop.

So where did you get the figures from? Did you make them up? NO you did not, so why are you backing down? I have also heard the same from 3 different sources. Hog head has never paid for electric for the last 2 years, and that is what he got done for, not Saturdays fire. He has to pay 12000 fine and 700 a month for 2 years worth of unpaid electric. He is now getting done for 2 years of unpaid water. court case soon. But Alan, so clever that you are, how did you not realize that iberdrola NEVER fix fuse boxes in your home? iberdrola only fix before the meter and NEVER after the meter. That is an electricians job
ibderdrola did not fix the burnt out wiring on Saturday, because it was after the meter. The landlord fixed that. The notice on the post making it look like he is legal and squeaky clean is a first time application for electric! HE NEVER PAID FOR IT up to this point. His electrician hot wired it, excuse the pun! After the water company sues him then landlord get his hands on him,
I doubt he will ever open again? the net is closing in hog head. You should know by now....time to run again?

johnnyenglishman,
As far as I can remember, I have never stated that I am clever.I always admit to having basic knowledge of everyday mechanical So why you drag me into your conversation is a mystery, perhaps it is because you are a newby to writing on this Forum, and I know that means anything you say I take with a pinch of salt, like I have with the many once only writers on this column. I thought with the previous comment. we could put the hogs head rumour to sleep. But all of a sudden you pop up to add a little oil to the flames (no pun intended) and not only has hogs head owing umpteen thousands for past electricity, you have added a court case against them for evading paying for there water.So another good rumour starts and the La Marina rumour mill rumbles on. Why don't I think its true, I don't know the answer to that, perhaps it is because you undoubtably wont give a bit of proof that it is . If it is true,has it actually got anything at all to do with us.

Ask the 50 year old, jack of all trades, favourite Hogs Head illegal barman, he is bound to know more than he is letting on. How do I know he is illegal, because I worked as a volunteer in the charity shop with his wife and she told me neither one of them have a residencia or pay taxes in Spain.

Wow Sue,
Is this a witch hunt or what.The Hogs Head, appeared to of satisfied some of the doubters. Who thought that they were the cause of the fire at the weekend.
But as I say don't let a good rumour get in the way of truth,as the truth isn't normally as interesting as a story.
Good to see though you are staying true to your roots,by stating you work (or worked) for an animal charity,which I gather you don't like to name in any of your comments,
So the Wife of the barman allegedly told you they don't have a residentia, and don't pay tax.simple answer may be perhaps they live in Spain for less than 6 months a year, and are not entitled to a residencia,as for paying tax.If he is a barman and his wife does charity work,chances are they don't have enough income to pay tax.
I just hope that if we meet one day,i dont tell you anything in confidence, because you undoubtably would put it on this Forum.(Friends or aquaintances beware of what you say to sue)
Mind you Sue you never tell us what Charity you are involved with,

To Sue and Joeenglish, how can you publish such vile remarks. Don't you realise you cannot know these things. Once again it's hearsay. A words spoken can do a lot of damage and IT'S NONE OF OUR BUSINNESS. Give these poor people a break, they have enough on their shoulders. This forum is read not only by locals but by peope in the UK. What a picture you're painting of our lovely town. Unfortunately a lot of the posts make us look a miserable, moaning vindictive crowd. Give it up PLEASE Mary Catherine xxx

Well said Mazza. The only interest I have in the business of bars on this URB is when I hand my cash over after having a refreshing drink or meal. X

Well said Mazza, Unfortunately I am not allowed to drink alcohol,due to medication (thought I would add the bit about medication,if only to stop a rumour that I am an Alcoholic

Alan, this not actually a pop at you! You are more "streetwise" the most, but you should know that Iberdrola will never fix anything after the meter. You tend to speak more sense than most, and 9 times out of 10 and would agree with what you say.
You have a pop a jeff, but then when he does something good, you stand your ground and defend him. Hog head answer "iberdrola has to fix the fuse cupboard in the restaurant" is already telling more lies.The application for electricity, should start mare more alarm bells to ring. And Mazza, I understand your point that more gossip, is not good, but they "have so many problems on their shoulders" is deserved! I hate to see innocent people get blamed or grassed on, but in this case, there is no smoke without fire, definitely excuse the pun!

Jonnyenglishmano. (got your name right I hope). Nobody hates injustice more than I. But you're only making innuendos. If you REALLY know something make it public and name names. That gives people a right of reply. No one can or should reply to rumours, it's like punching marshmallow. If you have facts, print your facts, just stop all the innuendos.
We've been here 6 years and I've been on here about 3 and I've never experienced what's happening now. This site can be a place to help our neighbours and give us a few laughs, mmmm, those were the days my friend Mary Catherine xxx

It amazes me how people get the information and the sums people are fined etc in such a short space of time,I did not know the Spanish authorities worked or could work that fast and as for what all the different individuals get up are they all master criminals from the UK spending there ill gotten gains setting themselves up illegally in Spain, come on now have you never told someone what you think they would like to hear to make you look the big I am, after all if you are up to no good you will do your best to cover your tracks unless you are of course totally thick (not every one is that thick in La Marina are they?)

johnnyenglishman0
I don't know why you clearly have it in for us, perhaps your a former customer that we refused serve anymore, perhaps your just another bar that hopes to capitalise on our closure, or a former employee that we've sacked or has left, or maybe your a person that has caused someone to leave us ?? only you know your reasons ?? it seems strange that your account on ASL only started yesterday ?? either way you certainly know how to kick us when we're down & on the floor.
I will repeat myself, we have no reason to be fined either by Iberdrola or Augagest we have contracts for both companies, we have been offered help by independent electricians who are able to get us up & running again this was indeed tempting, but we have declined because we don't want to Jeopardise any guarantees with Iberdrola, it has also crossed our minds that the landlord wants a scape goat for this situation, after all when we signed our contract in May 2011 at an extraordinary low monthly rent, fixed for 10 years, if the landlord can find someone else to rent in our prime spot know doubt he would double the rent. Johnnyenglishman0 as Alan, Mazza & probably most people that are reading this have commented, WHERE'S YOUR EVIDENT S, unless you can provide any such, I would urge anyone reading this to treat johnnyenlishman0 comments with utter contempt as we do.
We would also like to thank all those on here & in our community that support us & wish us the best during these very difficult & frustrating times, we hope to have our bar back up & running soon

Hogs head, good luck. I think like Allan and I people are getting really sick of the vindictive postings on here The sun is shining and all is right in the world. I hope you thrive (but a little point, don't start casting nusturtions at your landlord or you'll be like the rest) Mary Catherine xx

I will add this comment. I was out and about with a well known respected electrician on the Urb this morning and we parked up right where the notice was for Paul's contract.
I don't understand iberdrola stuff but he does. He read it and looked at it. It is the electric contract between iberdrola and the Hogs Head. So I think everyone needs to forget about they ain't paid this or that. Fact is contract is there

Well said Paul,it may have escaped a few I have stopped posting on here it is far too vindictive and all to easy for people to insinuate and point the finger without a shred of proof.
I say good luck to Paul and Jan and I think you should reconsider your use of this forum or at least do as most do and just read it, although there are times like this posting where you have to respond.

weejohnten,It didn't escape my eager eyes that you had vanished off the radar.I can understand why, in fact about the time you stopped putting your comments, I had the very same idea,so I spent a few days Lurkng (looking only)but the more I looked,I kept thinking that some of the comments were biased beyond believability,That I thought if people didn't show that most people living in La Marina love the place, ordinary people wouldn't come within 100 miles of this lovely place.So hopefully coming back to putting comments on here,and with people like Mazza,and others also doing a grand job,We may make some of these comment makers feel pretty silly,and they could go back ti there private little sad lives.Or even better ASL may realize they are getting more hits on there forum,but are losing more respect from ordinary people who eventually will make this forum sink or swim

This is good reading.
Music licence
Opening Licence
Fires
Electric
Please, I am waiting for next issue.

Winter Fuel Allowance.......

Well after 22 years living here in la Marina , that's news to me as far as I am aware you work you pay tax you have to have ss number , please enlighten me on this .

Marko, dont get me started on winter fuel allowance,t hose thieving B*****s on the British Government, have been offered a fantastic rise on consideration that they stop fiddling there expenses.What do they do to thank me for giving them a job,they bloody nick 200 pound a year off me,But I will have the last laugh,I will go back Blighty for 6 months and a day each year so that I am a resident in the U.K. and claim back the 200 pound,they think can take off me illegally,Also to make it better I will leave the Wife over here for the whole year,thereby ending up better off and keep my sanity (sorry darling Wife only joking)
That's the fuel allowance sorted,just going to put on a 100 pound each way on return Favorite in the 3.05 at glorious Goodwood (4.05 time wise in Spain)

Well put Hogs Head you should not need to justify your bar on here, you must have heard all the short and long tales by many a bar room lurker that has had a few to many shandies and wants to take on the world, they just have sad miserable lives that they can not make a success of, so to make it more interesting they just spout out rubbish to any one that will listen.
Hope you are up and running soon what with your good food and entertainment you will soon have this set back behind you.

I used to work for the DWP and the criteria at the moment is that you live in the UK or EU country with reciprocal agreements during the qualifying week. (Normally the 3rd week of September Monday - Sunday.) So by my reckoning if they stop paying it to people who reside outside of the UK you just need to live in the UK for the 3rd week of September every year to get it. I'm sure the airfare will cost about the same as the WFP. So you get a weeks holiday to the UK paid by the UK Government. See what Cameron thinks of that xxx

Thank you to Mr Cameron, He told me I didn't need my winter fuel payment as it don't get cold over here,So I decided to spend my 2013-2014 payment in advance on a bet in the 3.05 at Goodwood,The favorite duly obliged so my winter payment is another 295 better off,must try and spend some more of it later,even tomorrow

Myra, if that information is correct (and you now have to find out for us old coffin dodgers) I'll send Smiffy back for a week. Alan is worried about the government stealing his heating allowance. Smiffy stole half of mine. I used to get £200 per annum. I was widowed for 12 years, never claimed a penny above my pension so I LOVED my £200. OK married Smiffy and my heating allowance went to £100. He also got £100, but I tell him that is my money. He won't believe me but logic proves I'm right. Mary Catherine xxx

Mary,

Current WFA eligibility criteria can be found here https://www.gov.uk/winter-fuel-payment/eligibility. However the UK government wants to stop paying it to expats who live in areas where the average winter temperature is warmer than the warmest area of the UK (I believe this area to be Devon and Cornwall which people in the know call Gods waiting room due to the amount of pensioners who move here during the twilight of their lives.) They don't intend to stop this until 2015 so you are safe till then. And yes you are always right xxx

My mention of Winter Fuel Allowance was meant as a joke. For the pensioners that I've raised their blood pressure, I sincerely apologise.

Lol Marko. At least it will give people something factual to debate rather than hurtful gossip.

Winter bottom your comment let them defend themselves is deplorable. This forum is not a Court of Law. Why should businesses have to defend themselves against Chinese whispers and vicious rumours? Wether true or not these rumours can ruin people's lives, and their business is nobody else's concern.

When rumours were written about your business I paid no heed. Not interested. End of.

I will say I don't often go into the hogs head its just not on my list. However the owner is losing money at this important time they are seeing all there work in tatters It must be heart-breaking for them. Please give them a little space if there is wrong dong it will come out in the end. If it is just a sad accident think how upsetting all this is for them none of us have bottomless pockets. I have been here from 2002 and I have never witnessed such nasty bar wars !!! Its hard for all the bar's give them all a brake!! I don't want to see any bar go out of business I don't care about the politics of it all. I just care that I can walk into a selection of different bar's and get served by polite bar staff.

Rene,

Current legislation stated that the person must reside in the UK or a European country with a reciprocal agreement (Spain is one of these) for the qualifying week. Government proposals are to stop paying it to people who reside in country's that have a warmer average winter temperature than the average winter tempature in the warmest part of the UK from 2015. So people who live in Spain all year around and are old enough to claim will get it until at least 2014

Thank you Myra for your very prompt reply. Well done on your good work with the kittens at Impact.

Rene,

thank you for your kind comment. Unfortunately I am not in a position to give Impact a lot financially but I can give the kittens love and attention until they go to their forever homes and in return they give me so much more x

Rene.

Get back to the cold weather in Manchester. I hear you be looking to come out soon. Again, the ironing board is waiting for you

Now now Andi! Remember the mess that Mateo left in your cat transporter? Well I can soon arrange for it to be repeated lol

Andi, Yes, as soon as I possibly can, but you know the probs. !!!! It's nice to know Myra is keeping an eye on you in my absence, us ladies have to stick together. Thanks Myra x