Andalucia Steve

...living the dream

The demise of supermarket baskets.

I'm not a number, I'm a free man, and I don't want to use a trolley
The demise of supermarket baskets.
1st world problem I know, but I'm really cheesed off that my favourite supermarket here in Spain, Mercadona has phased out hand baskets - we're trolley only in my branch now, and while I've been suffering in silence about this for nine months or so, now is the time for the worm to turn. So I wrote them a letter of complaint about it yesterday in both Spanish and English, so let's see what happens. (My money is on nothing, as corporations always value profit over customer convenience). Here... read more
 

Chemicals in Spain

The perils and pleasures awaiting you in chemists, supermarkets and hardware stores
In my early days in Spain I owned a little land and immediately found I was at war with weeds and insects. To keep down the fleas and ticks, the local vet hooked me up with a chemical that I needed to spray "all over everything", warning me not to get any on the dog, cats chickens or pigeons. I can't remember what it was called but it smelt awful and I had to wear a mask to avoid breathing it in. The farmers were always recommending sprays as well. My apricot leaves started to... read more