Letters from the Atlantic

Letters from the Atlantic
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Letters from the Atlantic

'Letters from the Atlantic' is a quirky and amusing weekly blog by author and international columnist, Barrie Mahoney, about an expat's perspective of life from an island in the Atlantic Ocean. For more information, go to: www.barriemahoney.com

  1. La Boda (The Wedding)

    -3 J

    La Boda (The Wedding)

    I gate-crashed a wedding last week. In my defence, it was a genuine accident, but I am rather pleased that I did. Like many people, I enjoy a good wedding; it is one of those events where the power of love forcibly overpowers the cynicism and doubt that can inhabit some of our lives. It takes the most hardened cynic not to feel just a twinge of emotion and ‘something of the beyond’ when watching a couple committing themselves to a life with each other.© Barrie Mahoney 2024To find out more about Barrie, his blogs, podcasts and books, go to: http://barriemahoney.com/

    6 min
  2. Just Nuts About Almonds

    4 NOV.

    Just Nuts About Almonds

    We know that Spring has arrived in the Canary Islands when we see the first flush of flowers on the many magnificent almond trees that embrace the islands. These beautiful flowers, which begin to open after Christmas, create a magnificent and rich landscape of colour. At the end of January and the beginning of February, almond trees demonstrate their full glory, encouraging celebrations in many towns and villages. Canarians never need much of an excuse to have a party, so this spectacle of natural beauty to celebrate the beginning of a New Year, doesn’t need much encouragement.© Barrie Mahoney 2024To find out more about Barrie, his blogs, podcasts and books, go to: http://barriemahoney.com/

    5 min
  3. It's Been a Crazy August in Spain!

    10 OCT.

    It's Been a Crazy August in Spain!

    The usual August madness has swept across Spain with a vengeance. First of all, it was ‘refreshing’ to see that the reliable Swedish emporium of all things good and wholesome, namely Ikea, haven’t lost their sense of humour in marketing a lavatory brush given the appealing name of ‘Farage’. Sadly, Ikea has since disassociated itself from the toilet brush story and claims it is ‘fake news’, but all is not lost since they are selling a doormat under the name of ‘Borris’, which is the name of a small town in Denmark. It is a great pity about the loo brush though, since I rather like the idea of turning the name ‘Farage’ into a verb and would quite enjoy “faraging” the loo. Forgive me, but I am having an August moment, and I promise that I won’t mention the table (strong and stable) sold under the name of Theresa… © Barrie Mahoney 2024To find out more about Barrie, his blogs, podcasts and books, go to: http://barriemahoney.com/

    8 min
  4. Fuel Poverty

    26 SEPT.

    Fuel Poverty

    It is of course, the poorest in society that are most affected by high electricity bills. Terms such as ‘Fuel Poverty’ or ‘Energy Poverty’ are some of the current meaningless phrases designed to make this serious issue somehow socially more acceptable. For many people, this can mean an impossible choice between keeping warm or eating. In the Canary Islands, those regarded as ‘vulnerable’, as well as large families can apply for a ‘social bonus’, which is designed to ease the cost of such bills by providing a discount. Unfortunately, as is the case with many such schemes in Spain, the system is unnecessarily complicated and bureaucratic, which many families simply do not understand, and such schemes often end up causing more harm than good. © Barrie Mahoney 2024To find out more about Barrie, his blogs, podcasts and books, go to: http://barriemahoney.com/

    5 min
  5. Submarines and Drug Smuggling Grannies

    23 AOÛT

    Submarines and Drug Smuggling Grannies

    All this puts into context the number of pensioners who have been caught smuggling drugs from the Canary Islands in recent months. Apparently, drug smugglers prefer to recruit elderly and disabled people to carry out their drug running operations, because no-one would suspect an elderly, innocent-looking granny of carrying drugs in her bra, or that smart looking elderly gentleman of carrying a supply in his colostomy bag! Maybe a submarine is the next logical step for the determined smuggler?© Barrie Mahoney 2024To find out more about Barrie, his blogs, podcasts and books, go to: http://barriemahoney.com/

    3 min
  6. Fake News in the Canary Islands

    20 AOÛT

    Fake News in the Canary Islands

    It has been amusing to read comments about the islands’ weather in the press and social media over the last few days. Apparently, the Canary Islands have only just survived storm and tempest and all manner of tragedy. Flights have been cancelled, airports destroyed, cars and roads have been washed away and, basically all hell has broken loose on these ‘Paradise Islands’. According to the Mail, Sun and Express, life as we know it on these islands is about to come to an end. Hmm, really?© Barrie Mahoney 2024To find out more about Barrie, his blogs, podcasts and books, go to: http://barriemahoney.com/

    7 min
  7. Documentoscopia

    11 AOÛT

    Documentoscopia

    I really have no time for graffiti of any kind. I don’t care whether it has been daubed by that anonymous street artist or vandal, depending upon your view of life, going under the name of Banksy, or if it is Juan or Maria who feel the urge to scrawl their names in appalling handwriting on a newly painted wall. Admittedly, some graffiti can be extremely artistic, amusing, challenging, controversial, but please let us have it on spaces allocated for just that purpose.© Barrie Mahoney 2024To find out more about Barrie, his blogs, podcasts and books, go to: http://barriemahoney.com/

    5 min
  8. Chocolate, Avocado Eggs and the Canary Islands

    17 JUIN

    Chocolate, Avocado Eggs and the Canary Islands

    The Spanish love their chocolate. Pastries are dipped into it, biscuits are coated with it, churros are drowned in it and anything else is sprinkled with it. Chocolate is everywhere in Spain, which is not surprising, because it was the Spanish who discovered and gave birth to modern chocolate. © Barrie Mahoney 2024To find out more about Barrie, his blogs, podcasts and books, go to: http://barriemahoney.com/

    5 min
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À propos

'Letters from the Atlantic' is a quirky and amusing weekly blog by author and international columnist, Barrie Mahoney, about an expat's perspective of life from an island in the Atlantic Ocean. For more information, go to: www.barriemahoney.com

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  • Création
    Letters from the Atlantic
  • Années d’activité
    2023 - 2024
  • Épisodes
    87
  • Classification
    Tous publics
  • Copyright
    © Copyright 2024 Letters from the Atlantic
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    Letters from the Atlantic

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