+ Personally recommended goods an services & useful telephone numbers 

 

The above picture will be recognized by most who see it as an emblem of Spain, but how many of you know that it was originally an advertising hoarding?, for Osborne sherry. These hoardings were all over Spain by the side of the roads, when one day the powers that be decided they were a distraction and ordered them taken down. Then some enterprising people made representations to keep them as they had be become one of the the most important emblems of Spain, second only to the Spanish flag. 

It has now been adopted as the Spanish logo 

 

  • Hot climate tips
    • Drink Plenty of water, at least 2 litres a day (always best to carry a   bottle with you)
    • Wear a hat

    • Remember the sun is usually stronger here and it is possible to get burnt within 30mins! so please use sun screen especially if fair skinned.

    • Food storage in a hot climate does differ from England, all food   should be kept sealed, whether in a fridge, a container or its own wrapping. If not an army of ants will dispose of it for you!

  • Hours of opening

    • Most shops and offices open from 10am but there are many that still observe siesta times, even in the tourist areas, usually closing at 2pm and reopening at 5pm (these hours are not written in stone and can be quite fluid !. )  

All supermarkets have pay as you go trolleys, so carry a euro with you, if you don´t have one pop inside and ask for change (Spanish lessons)  

 

  • Post Offices      

    • Villages – usually for a couple of hours in the morning. but Cómpeta now opens to 2.30pm. 

  • BANKS

    • 0830 - 1330hrs Monday to Friday (sometimes Saturday morning)

  • Health matters -

    • Obviously if you are just here for a holiday then you can use your E111. Please make sure you bring the necessary documentation with you as a Spanish Consultorio (national health clinic) will not see you without it. Unfortunately the system has been abused in the past. The other alternative is a private clinic, which you will have to pay for and try to reclaim when back in the UK. 

    • , but if you are a resident, a foreigner and under retirement age it is necessary to have Private Medical Insurance, so that you are not a drain on the health service. The medical services here, in my opinion are second to none, having had personal experience I cannot praise the surgeon or nursing staff enough. There are many private health insurance companies, but the one we use and would thoroughly recommend is Prevision Medica (English is spoken and their staff are very helpful) www.previsionmedica.com

     

  • PHARMACY/CHEMIST  (Farmacia) 

    • Office hours and more than likely observing siesta times (when closed there will be a notice listing the emergency chemist) there are also 24hr chemists

    • Outside the pharmacy will be a green cross (if open it will be flashing)

  You maybe surprised to find that you can buy medicine across the counter that would normally only be available by prescription in the UK 

 The training and qualifications of a pharmacist in Spain is very high and they are able to prescribe medicines.       

 

  • Vets

    •  

      For those of you contemplating bringing animals to Spain, The vets here are excellent, we in Cómpeta are lucky enough to have two, they are both good, so kind & thorough. 

      Our favorite though is Juan Molina & Gunila Pedersen proprietors of NaturVet Avda Constitución 15 (quite near the Cómpeta Bazar) and I would recommend them to anyone. www.naturvets.com

      But do remember to get the correct paperwork and vaccinations prior to leaving the UK and if you are only coming for a short stay, please check what you need to take your pet back into the UK.  see http://www.defra.gov.uk/

       

  • Driving

    • The police are enforcing the letter of the law in Spain much more than they used to, in Particular drink driving, non wearing of seat belts, speeding and in the case of motor scooters & bikes not wearing a crash helmet. If you are a resident of Spain and are stopped infringing these or other traffic laws you will be liable to a fine, usually payable within 14 days, plus any relevant points on your licence. If you are a non resident you will incur an on the spot fine. These fines can be quite hefty.

      Also remember that you are required to carry identification at all times.

  • Police

                          There are three police forces in Spain all of which you can call on if you need help, but remember all police are armed and deserve respect.

  • Guardia Civil - national police force - they patrol the towns & villages plus the Highways, the traffic police belong to this force.

          Telf  952 516 097

           Emergency number 062

  • Policia Nacional -- national anti crime unit,  in this day and age you may also see them at the airports & larger towns.  

          Emergency number 091 

  • Policia local - local police - basically beat officers, but also patrol in cars and on bikes              

         Telf   605 276 302

          Emergency number 061

           

All large villages and towns have a Guardia civil garrison and a policia local station. Cómpeta included. It is refreshing because unlike the UK, you actually see a Policeman walking about.  

       Just a note to bear in mind the General Emergency Number for Europe is 112 not 999  

 

 

 

  • Crime 

So far crime in the mountain villages is virtually non existent, thankfully. Unfortunately with the onset of progress and the influx of foreigners this may change, it certainly has on the costa´s, there has always been crime there, but it seems to have got worse of late, particularly as now, work is hard to come by.. 

          There are particular scams being operated, the most serious of which is people masquerading as police officers, particularly on the motorways, driving high speed cars. If a car attempts to stop you (unless of course it is plainly a marked police vehicle with uniformed officers ) do not stop, indicate you are making a phone call to the police and if that doesn't work turn off at the next exit and head for the town to the nearest police station and let them follow you there<!..THEY WONT.!  

Never carry large sums of money anyway ( just enough to get you where you are going)  and whatever you carry hide it! 

If you stop at a service station/cafeteria and returning to your car you find some helpful soul pointing out to you that you have a flat tyre, do not open your car, phone the police. 9 times out of ten this helpful individual or is mate will have slashed it and when your back is turned will steal anything he can lay his greasy little hands on. If he is genuine he will wait for the police. BET HE DOESN´T !

If you are at an airport/ bus station/ railway station/ shopping centre etc and anyone asks you for directions, please be aware he may have an accomplice, who is trying and will steal something if he can. Particularly a handbag. They rely on the fact that, most people are friendly and will help if they can, this crime does not just happen to tourists. I was nearly lured into a makeshift car park until I came to my senses!! & recently a female friend of mine was robbed in a shopping centre car park, while trying to help someone. 

Also do not lend you mobile to anyone who asks if they can make a phone call. You may lose it, in fact you probably will.

In the street markets, just take approx what you need and always keep your hand on your wallet or handbag.

Spain is no different to any other country, but we all seem to be in a better frame of mind over here, particularly when the sun is shining, and the criminals will and do take advantage of it . 

REMEMBER most Spanish people are friendly & helpful but please guard against the ones I have mentioned & DO not allow them people to spoil your holiday  

Emergency numbers....Emergency number .........112

                                  Ambulance......................061      

                                  Fire Brigade.....................080

                                  Guardia Civil ...................062

 

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Personally recommended Goods, Services & Useful telephone numbers

(all Cómpeta unless stated otherwise)

 

Tourist office -  Oficina de turismo . Avda de constitución s/n - telf 952 553 685  turismo@competa.es

 

NaturVet - Juan Molina y Gunila Penderson            Avda Constitución 15 (quite near the Cómpeta Bazaar)  

                                                                            Tlf 952553850    Movil 617001723

                                                                           www.naturvets.com

 

Clinica Veterinaria -.                                                Cómpeta & Caleta de Velez

telf   Cómpeta 952553360  Caleta 952551010

Emergency 657582225

 

Prevision Medica  -  telfs. 952 22 65 96 - 952 21 65 22- 952 21 29 06  www.previsonmedica.com 

 

Brogan-Properties -telf   movil (+34) 620 914 104  www.brogan-properties.eu  steve@brogan-properties.eu

 

 Hotel balcon de Cómpeta  -  telf +34 95 255 35 35

 

Restaurante  El Pilon  - telf  95 255 3512

 

Restaurante Casona  Plaza Almijara nº 6 - tlf 952 5537 01

 

Venta de Palma "el Catalambre" - tlf  (+34) 690258026 o (+34) 654215474  catalambre@hotmail.es

                                                             located at the Cómpeta cross roads 

Sugar & Spice   -            Calle Cazadores 12, Cómpeta - telf  952 516 117

                                   a delightful grocery & gift shop not far from the main square 

 

Chemist -    Francisco J. Lechuga  López, Plaza Panteleón Romero 3b - telf  952 553 401 

                                                  ( just off the main square opposite Oscars) 

                   Inmaculada Romero   calle San Antonio  (about 200yds past the internet cafe)

Lewis S C  (Insurance Services) -  Calle Chaparil 28, Nerja. telfs 952 526 937. movil 653 322 392

                                                               e mail - lewissc@hotmail.co.uk

 

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