Notes from Spain

Ben and Marina discuss unfolding events in "The Spanish Revolution" in Sol and beyond, and their trip to Cazorla www.notesfromspain.com

Ben and Marina are back, talking about Sepulveda, the Hoces Del Rio Duraton, and more. See notesfromspain.com for full details.

Ben and Marina talk to Simon at the Cortijada Los Gazquez, an incredible restored country house in a wild Natural Park in Almeria. The house is totally off-grid, has some amazing eco-enhancements, and tremendous art projects on the go. See www.losgazquez.

The heat returns to Madrid, and Ben has trouble with salad, wonders why shops close at lunchtime in winter, and just can't map his school experiences onto the education system in Spain. www.notesfromspain.com

Ben and Marina discuss the battle to teach their baby their own languages first, and why they want to escape Madrid... for good? See notesfromspain.com for more, and to find the 'Madrid Confessions' audiobook...

Rainy days, Christmas, The state of Spain, and more... comment at notesfromspain.com please!

A trip to the east of Asturias around Llanes.... photos and more info at notesfromspain.com

Should tax payers support the church? How religious is Spain? When will smoking finally be banned in bars? Come to notesfromspain.com to comment!

From Carmona, to Cadiz, and the Costa de la Luz - full details and photos at notesfromspain.com

Why does no one wear shorts in the street? Will the new Defense minister change the lot of women forever? Is there a housing crisis in Spain? And is Marina going to have to get the police onto the neighbours? Head over to Notesfromspain.com to join in the discussion!

A true story about the death of a friend - See notesfromspain.com for more details.

The Ramirez family has been making guitars in Madrid for 126 years. We visited their workshops in Madrid, spoke to Amalia Ramirez, and heard one of the these instruments being played. See notesfromspain.com for photos and more information.

If you would like to ride from the Basque country all the way down to the depths of Andalusia, then guess what, you're invited! See notesfromspain.com for more details.

This week we talk to Jonathon and Rosie, who set up Kaliyoga, a holistic yoga and detox center in the Alpujarra mountains south of Granada. See notesfromspain.com for more details.

Ben and Marina take a trip to the wonderful Alpujarra mountains south of Granada. See notesfromspain.com for photos and links.

Lessons learned living in Spain... and questions for you: What did you last learn? What was the motivation? What did it lead to? See notesfromspain.com to comment!

Retro-casting from our terrace, Ben talks about honesty in bars, gypsies, nickers factories, and the future of tourism in Spain. See notesfromspain.com for show notes and to comment.

Ben and Marina head up to Abadia Retuerta for a day sipping wine and exploring the wine-making process. See notesfromspain.com for photos!

Ben and Marina check out the famous flowery patios competition held every May in Cordoba. See notesfromspain.com for photos and further details.

Ben and Marina chat to Jamie about a great way of spending a few months in Madrid. See notesfromspain.com for more details.

One of the greatest fiestas in Spain: fino, horses, and great people watching down in Jerez. Pop over to notesfromspain.com to see all the photos and a short video!

Notes from Cadiz: faded glory just as it should be. See notesfromspain.com for more details.

Ben and Marina head down to Valenica for Las Fallas fiestas, and chat to one of the locals before heading off to the most extraordinary Paella cooking events ever seen in Spain! See notesfromspain.com for photos and video.

Ben and Marina talk to Scott and Sheryl who gave up everything for a year on the road, and have just spent two months in Andalusia.See notesfromspain.com and ayearineurope.com for details.

Richard Morely explains to Ben and Marina how he spends his holidays taunting the Spanish! See notesfromspain.com for full details...

Every year on January 17th, people bring their pets to be blessed on the Calle Hortaleza in Madrid. See notesfromspain.com for details.

A beautiful area of waterfall-filled parkland on the way to Barcelona from Madrid. See notesfromspain.com for photos.

14 minutes in the back streets of Barcelona. Who needs Gaudi? See notesfromspain.com for more Barcelona recommendations.

Despite all appearances no alcohol was consumed before the making of this podcast. See notesfromspain.com to comment...

Ben and Marina spend a night in Siguenza castle, now a Parador, deep in Castilla La Mancha. See notesfromspain.com for more details.

Many of you will know Alan (AKA 'El listo') and Brian (AKA 'Greytop'), from the forums, and here they are in reality! - See notesfromspain.com for full details.

Ben and Marina check out Madrid's famous Sunday market. See Notes from Spain for more details.

An interview with Chris Stewart, author of Driving Over Lemons, on his farm in the Alpujarra mountains. See notesfromspain.com for more details.

Not many people put a trip to Vallecas at the top of their birthday list, but it really appealed to me! Another wonderful market lies at the centre of a very traditional Barrio Madrileño. See notesfromspain.com for details and photos...

Ben and Marina check out the summer fiestas in Madrid. See www.notesfromspain.com for details.

Ben and Marina bring you a soundseeing tour from Ourense Market, see www.notesfromspain.com for details!

Helpful hints for all of you who hope to make the big move to Spain soon! See www.notesfromspain.com for full details.

Heat stroke may account for these random ramblings from the beach. See notesfromspain.com for details.

Ryan from www.catavino.net talks to Ben about why it isn't all just Rioja, Rioja, Rioja...see www.notesfromspain.com for details and to comment...

Ben and Marina wonder what's going on... it's world cup time and although England is festooned with the national flag, the Spanish flag is nowhere to be seen in Spain... see www.notesfromspain.com

Ben and Marina visit the Feria del Libro in the Retiro Park and talk about the rise of the book in Spanish culture. See www.notesfromspain.com for details and to comment.

Ben and Marina celebrate the NFS 1 year anniversary in Ibiza!

Ben and Marina take a trip back to their old barrio, the emblematic and fast-changing neighbourhood of Madrid.

Ben and Marina sit in Madrid's Plaza de Oriente discussing Easter celebrations, life in the UK, and Fiestas in Madrid.

Ben and Marina head up to El Escorial and fullfil a very special request...Full details at notesfromspain.com

Full 22 min version. Don Justo is a man who has spent the last 40 years building a cathedral in Mejorada del Campo, a village about 20 kilometres from Madrid. Marina and I, accompanied by her mother and (architect) father visit and attempt to describe this incredible building, and tell the story of Don Justo's life.

Ben and Marina comment on the historic decision by ETA to declare a permanent ceasefire.

Ben's 2000 km marathon motorbike trip in Southern India - see notesfromspain.com for more details and photos.

Ben and Marina answer your questions on Travel in Spain. See notesfromspain.com for more details.

Ben and Marina travel to Asturias for the weekend, to visit the beautiful Asturian capital of Oviedo. See notesfromspain.com for full details.