As it’s getting towards the festive season we thought it was time to give a gift to those of you who enjoy the odd tipple. And, for the first time in over five years, we get to hear a different voice on the blog (Yes everything over the last five years has been written by Graham, yours truly, here). However if you follow me on social media you’ll have seen I have a small problem with beer, wine, cider and others in that I’m ever so slightly allergic to certain elements contained within so drinking is a bit of a Russian Roulette for me, Will I enjoy it? Will I be able to breath in ten minutes? Where’s the damn inhaler? Will the sweet release of death take me from you? You see my problem with doing my own research? 

Therefore we decided to farm out the research for this one… in May! Suffice to say it has been a long time coming so finally here is Paul from our team and his report on the Valencia Craft Beer scene. It took a lot of that so-called or well-named research. Take it away Paul.

Ever fancied yourself as a bit of a small hotel owner? In a lovely town just outside one of the nicest cities in Spain and on the edge of the countryside? This property is up for sale In RibaRoja. Its in the town, but backs on to the Huerto, so beautiful open views of fields and orange groves (what did you expect to see, Herds of wildebeest sweeping majestically across the plain …?).

This 3-star hotel has 12 bedrooms and bathrooms, including 2 suites. You’ll see from the photos that the building has been perfectly maintained and restored. The building dates from the 19th century, so its seen its fair bit of history, but whatever you do, don’t mention the war. I mentioned it once but I think I got away with it.

There is a large reception area, dining room, living room with a fireplace, a professional kitchen as well as an apartment and staff rooms and a laundry. Barcelona isn’t too far away, would probably be easy to pick up some quality waitstaff from there.

Obviously there’s a lot more to tell you and explain, about the building, the business and all there is to do nearby and if you get in touch we'll be happy to explain all. So not exactly the worst hotel in the world. No, certainly not, I won’t have that, there’s a place in Eastbourne…

Oh, by the way, it could be a house as well

There was a nice flat in the city
Who’s suitors said “Wow, thats so pretty”
So with foresight and vision
They made a decision
But offered too low, what a pity

And they missed out ten times and again
Good apartments came on and they went
And they couldn’t think why
Their luck had run dry
Though we’d told them the reason no end

The market is booming we know
And the owners are running the show
So open the coffers and make sure a good offer
Or you run risk of receiving a NO

So they took the advice from G Hunt
Said a price that didn’t affront
Bought a wonderful place
With great light and space
Such a shame that the neighbours a (Fill in the gaps yourself)

Ba dum tsss, not really, neighbours are decent folk and the flat is really worth a look, so you know what to do

There are hundreds of advantages that can be present in a property when you buy it. Some have many and some have few. This property has many of course but the biggest is all is that if you stand on your terrace you have a beautiful view of a verdant garden and pool and maybe just maybe you can wave to me on the other side of the garden because I live here and have done for over 20 years.

These three story townhouses with shared pool and gardens are like hen's teeth in that there are very few of them away from the coastal areas. If like me you love the idea of a garden but can't stand gardening, you want a pool but don't want to have to keep it clean, you want to be walking distance to all facilities but not in a noisy street, you want a place semi modernised so you have the opportunity to do some things yourself and not have to put up with somebody else's taste then this is the place for you.

La Pobla is the place I have called home for two decades and more and it's a great 15 minute drive into the city, surrounded by all of the facilities you can shake a stick at and well located for just about everything. You might like that idea and decide that a place with this potential and great neighbours in a community with really nice people is for you. I wouldn't change it.