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    British Local Elections & Councillor Hick!

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    I wanted to say a word or two about the local elections in the United Kingdom yesterday, being the political animal that I am.

    I was watching the news earlier and saw Jeremy Corbin, trying to justify his parties election results, on a day that was clearly terrible for him and his Party. This man is deluded in the extreme and has brought  the Labour Party to the brink of a precipice. All political parties, spin the results of elections, no matter how bad they are, but to try and see anything positive, in an election that saw Labour loose over two hundred seats, after being out of power for seven years is laughable. If this party was a viable alternative, to the current Conservative Government, they would be winning big, in local elections, they are not. The Labour party are heading into a General Election, on 8 June, in a worse position that Michael Foot, as their leader did, during the 1980s, when Margaret Thatcher was Prime minister.

    The general public do not like infighting, within political parties. Mr Corbin, was dragged kicking and screaming, through a challenge to his leadership, not that long ago, because the party he leads, does not believe he is up to the job. He clung onto power, through a flawed process, re-elected once again with an increased mandate; only because of Labour Party rules, that allowed dubious numbers of people to vote. On top of this travesty, the party itself, has lost touch, with the public, who have no trust or belief in them, because of their leader.

    It does seem, as a bystander looking in, that Mr Corbin, has brought Labour to the point of destruction.  He is not listening and has dragged his party so far to the left, that people are turning their backs in horror. Labour does have a habit of doing this from time to time, but after seven years in opposition, one would think they should have known better.  The Conservative Party are almost guaranteed, many more years of power and all because of a narcissist, who thinks more of himself, than voters actually think of him.  Self delusion and denial, do not win elections.

    Equally UKIP have been wiped off the political map, during this campaign.  They are now a political irrelevance. The truth is, they were only formed to get Britain out of the EU, that has happened, goal achieved. The people now at the top of UKIP, are certainly not user friendly, unlike Farage, who  people seemed to like. Nuttall, the current leader, is someone,  I could never contemplate voting for, not that I ever voted UKIP anyway. One would imagine, that after the June General Election, this defunct party, will just wither and die, which is no bad thing in my view.

    The Liberal Democrats have made no great inroads and despite all their talk of a comeback, and possible new opposition, they have not shown their potential. Their leader is uncharismatic, oblivious to what voters want, did not accept the Brexit referendum result and more concerning for me, has rather right wing Christian views. There will be no resurgence in the Liberal Democrat vote, until this man is gone.

    So the local election results were much as I expected. There were big wins for Labour in Liverpool and Manchester, electing new Metropolitan Mayors, but this was not due to Jeremy Corbin, in fact it was likely to be the opposite. Andy Burnham, the new Mayor of Manchester, is popular, because of who he is, nothing to do with the Labour leadership. A stggering 63% of those who voted, did so for him. The Conservatives had a fantastic night and it looks like they have the ability, now, to win a landslide victory, in June.  The public want stability, Theresa May, seems, at least on the surface, to be the sensible choice.

    Councillor Hick!

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    Finally I would like to wish my old friend Stephen Hick, born in the same hometown, of Fareham, as myself, many congratulations for his local election victory in Treloggan, South West England.  I have known Stephen for many years and know he will work hard for his constituents; he has the ability to do many good things, for the community he represents.  You have always shown myself and Darrell friendship and a compassionate shoulder to cry on; your ethics are beyond reproach and your credentials, as a politician, are well known.  Lets hope this, is the start, of a bright, fulfilling and successful future for you.  Your late father, would be proud of you today Councillor, as of course am I!

    ​Congratulations to all those who won their seat  today, from whatever political background!
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    Masa Square!

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    Took a quick trip, down to Masa Square this afternoon, with Andy. Had to pop into the 'Foreigners Advice Bureau,' to get some information. Sadly the lady I needed to talk to, wasn't there.

    As readers to my blog know, Darrell and myself, recently received our Apostille certificate. Basically it is a document certifying the authenticity of our Marriage certificate, needed legally in Spain, due to Darrell's non EU status. The next step is the translation of documents; however I am not sure whether the Apostille or the Marriage Certificate, needs to be translated; one of them does anyway, but I forget which. If anyone can tell me, which record has to be translated into Spanish, can they please let me know. There must be others, in Gran Alacant, who have gone through this process, so here's hoping.

    Popped into Rogers, with Andy for a few drinks on the way home. It was 30 degrees, perfect whether for a beer or two. Finally onto Dialprix for supplies and home. Andy took Darrell's car, to Masa Square, for a run today, as it has been sat idle for a month; apparently, one has to drive cars, once in a while, just in case; of what, I'm not sure, since I know nothing about them. Anyway, it started first time, which I guess is a good sign!

    ​Happy Friday y'all!
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    Michele's Birthday!

    It was Michele's Birthday yesterday and her husband Paul invited the 'No Wives Club', round for dinner, to celebrate. It was another relaxing evening spent with friends, on Michele's special day. Paul cooked spicy chicken, prawn and chorizo and his famous garlic bread, which is to die for. Lots of chatter and conversation, it was another wonderful day, spent in pleasant company, here in Gran Alacant. A very Happy Birthday Michele!
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    Lily 2017!

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    A photo of myself and Lily; taken today on the solarium. Lily escaped through the front window this afternoon and was on the front terrace for at least an hour, before I found her. As a rule she is a house cat, but seems to have changed and become more like Precious, wanting to get out, as often as she can. She never ran off and was just quietly laying outside the front door.  Maybe it's time, to let her enjoy, her final years and allow her to go outside, as and when she wants!
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    Gorgeous Day in GA!

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    It's been beautiful, in Gran Alacant this Wednesday; perfect weather for walking, which I have done plenty of today.  Been doing a lot of thinking lately, which is much better done, whilst, taking in the Spanish air. Despite the ups and downs, living here, it is undeniable, that this is a lovely place to live. Sometimes it can be too quiet; when the tourists come, it can be overwhelming, but for those of us who live, in Gran Alacant, everyday, this place is home!
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    Hague Apostille!

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    Darrell received his Hague Apostille today; yet another part of the process, to be able to live and work in Spain permanently. Due to Darrell's nationality, all documents have to be legalised; allowing us both, to be able to remain, in Gran Alacant.

    Here is what wikipedia says, about the process:

    ​The Hague Convention, Abolishing the Requirement of Legalisation, for Foreign Public Documents, the Apostille Convention, or the Apostille Treaty, is an international treaty, drafted by the Hague Conference, on Private International Law. It specifies the modalities, through which a document issued, in one of the signatory countries, can be certified for legal purposes, in all the other signatory states. Such a certification is called an apostille (from Latin post illa and then French: a marginal note). It is an international certification, comparable, to a notorisation in domestic law, and normally supplements, a local notarisation, of the document.

    As a European citizen, I am legally allowed to remain in Europe, with my Australian partner, without any difficulties or hindrance from the Spanish authorities. There are however, a few legalities, that we both have to go through, before Darrell is allowed to work here. 

    Darrell returned to the UK last month, to complete the necessary paperwork.  The first stage, was obtaining this Hague Apostille certificate, confirming that our Marriage was true and genuine.  The next stage for Darrell to complete, is the translation of all the Marriage documents, into Spanish, required by Spain.  Step number three, is proof of private health care and finally a contract of employment, from me, to insure we do not, have to rely on Spanish state benefits. This will then give Darrell his pink, residency card.

    It is a rather long, drawn out process, but I would think nothing less, living in Spain. The paperwork required is beyond belief. I am looking at a one month time scale now, to have everything completed, for the new position of employment, starting in mid June. This is the cut off point, for Darrell to return, for me to have contracts in place and for the new bar to open in Gran Alacant!
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