Flowers of Romance

Valentine’s flowers`

There’s nothing quite like having a dozen red roses delivered to make a girl feel special.  We would however implore you to think about making a charity donation to help the Haiti earthquake aid efforts – show people you don’t know love.

Valentine Flowers of Romance

You can get Valentine flowers delivered from leading florists such as Interflora, but cheaper options are available with companies such as Bunches and M&S now offering to send Valentine flowers ordered in store or online .

If you’re spending Valentine’s Day together, you could hand deliver the – giving you the chance to personalise the bouquet with your own wrapping. A dozen sweetheart red roses from Asda cost just £2, for example, while in Sainsbury’s you can pick up a bunch of 12 fairtrade – flowers, guilt-free red roses for just under a fiver.

Australia Beat New Zealand – Just Not Cricket

Bit late with this news from down under but there has been accusations that Australia pulled a fast one to be first to see in the New Year ahead of neighbouring New Zealand by leeting off early.  In this article in the Times 31st December 2009 (typical of Mr Murdoch and his merry ment they were ahead of the game) reports that the fireworks in Sydney were let off before midnight to beat the Kiwis.

Some comments from travellers who had been diverted on flights to Sydney actually reveal the truth behind the supposed scandal

What a dopey story. Sydney has had two firework times for decades – one for the little kids and the big one for adults at midnight. . . .

And there it is – two displays in Sydney

I must congratulate the fine team of editors and research experts on this story. Firstly, Sydney is 2 hours ahead of New Zealand time, NOT 3 hours. Secondly the Chatham Islands is the first inhabited place in the world to see the new day, Not Christmas Island. I can enjoy early New Year celebrations due to the Chathams (my birthplace) being 45 minutes ahead of mainland New Zealand time. Well done Sydney for upstaging Auckland, mind you, that wouldn’t be difficult. Auckland event organizers win the prize for the most pathetic fireworks display ever. I’ve already booked my flights to Australia to witness the 2010 Sydney firework display

Not entirely sure what Evan meant with his contribution to the debate when he wrote “I think if anyone has earned respect for his realistic outlook and past success it is General Petraeus. Whatever your opinion on competence of the U.S. government, such as Bush’s WMDs Petaeus has a proven record. At the very least for what he has done he has earned my respect and I am against the war.”

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Demolition of Homes in Spain Continues to Affect UK Expats

The news that more property in Spain has been declared illegal has possibly ended the Spanish dream held by many UK residents – to sell up and leave the grey cold winter of Britain and head for year round sunshine on the Southern coast.

Many years ago Which Magazine advised people

..not to buy property in Spain until Spain dragged its antiquated land laws and procedure somewhere near at least the 20th century.

The problem has not gone away since and is now worse than ever.

The lure of frequent affordable flights, car hire Spain especially the highly competatitve car hire Malaga market -  gateway to the Andalucia and the developments along the Costa del Sol has seen British holidaymakers decide to up sticks and relocate to the Mediterranean – often sinking their life savings into new, expensive property that is later identified as having been built illegally.

Advice given in the Property sections of the Times suggests that UK property buyers should avoid any new builds or developments within a hundred miles along the coast from Malaga as they are likely to be most likely to be approached by the bulldozers and demolished in the coming years

It’s a bit of a generalisation to say “never ever purchase a new build or have your own house built in Spain”.

What they mean is in the small towns and villages in the sunspots. The rest of Spain is very different and no more dodgy than the UK.