In the Garlic is a fun A-Z guide to life in Spain. Taking its title from the Spanish "en el ajo", an expression meaning to be "in the know" this book provides an insight to Spain and the Spanish through its language and idioms.

Stay a while in Spain, and beyond the sunshine, fiestas, Rioja and laidbackness you may find yourself drifting in an uncharted ocean of unwritten laws, linguistic minefields and mysterious quirks. Where is everyone at ten o'clock in the morning? Why will you pay more for an ático than a regular flat?  What should you do when asked for your “second surname”? As the title says you need to be In The Garlic - en el ajo - in the know.

The book is written by Valerie Collins and Theresa O'Shea who between them have have lived in Spain for over 50 years, Valerie since the tail end of the Franco era, in Barcelona, and Theresa since the early nineties, in Galicia, Cataluña and now in the Axarquía. Valerie’s late husband was a Catalan lawyer, and she has two grown-up sons. Theresa is married to a gardener from a large Cordobese family, and they have three slack cats.

In the Garlic: Your Informative, Fun Guide to Spain is published by Santana and is available at all good book shops  (ISBN 13:978-84-89954-59-5) and online at The Resident bookshop

Over the coming months our resident veterinarian, Dr Ronald Rosenfeld, will be bringing us regular news and information regarding pets and livestock.

If there is a particular subject or piece of information you would like to see covered then don't hesitate to contact us at editor@theresident.eu.

Brian Berney is an independent financial adviser, living in Estepona, who writes exclusively for The Resident.

If you have a topic you would like covering, drop us an email at info@theresident.eu, and we will try and include it in a future edition.

For more information contact Brian Berney:
Edificio Centro, Sabinillas (opposite the Post Office), Manilva, Malaga.
Tel: 952 800 765 Fax: 952 893 791 Mob: 666 670 187
brian-berney@spectrum-ifa.com

In this section of The Resident, we will explain the workings of Government in Spain at all levels, but most importantly at local level where it affects our day-to-day lives.

Each month we will look at at the role of the various political bodies as well as the different parties that make up the political scene, so that ultimately you will have as comprehensive explanation of the mysteries of Spanish politics as possible.

Satellite Television FAQs

Each month we bring you answers to some of the most frequently asked questions received by satellite television specialists BB Satellite Installations.
If you would like your question answered then either telephone them on 952 792 320 or email sales@bbsatellite.com and we will publish the answers in future issues of The Resident.