I hope that you all had a wonderful Xmas and New Year and made some New Year resolutions.... which you haven't broken - yet! Well back in the UK the sales started on Boxing Day, 26th where some mad shoppers queued all night to bag a bargain. Here in Spain the sales or "rebajas" do not start until 7th January - the day after "Three Kings or Epiphany" or "Dia de los Reyes"
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eWhilst browsing in the Marina Shopping Centre, Benidorm yesterday afternoon I popped into "Ale Hop" - a store that sells all sorts of bits and bobs- most things which you don't really need but see and think why not ... fortunately they aren't too expensive.As I walked through the doors I saw a vision .... my eyes lit up and I could barely contain myself. What on earth could it be I hear you all ask!
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A brand new branch of Specsavers has opened in Benidorm, on the Calle Gambo - the pedestrianised street in the Old Town and tomorrow they are holding a fun day raising money for Emaus.I popped by today and spoke to Phillip Morgan, who together with Jorge Martinez are joint owners of the store. Phillip is the retail director with much experience having worked for Specsavers in the UK for 12 years whilst Jorge is the optometrist.
Today, Tuesday 29th November is the last day of filming for all the extra's on the ITV Benidorm series. They spent their last day filming at the Pink house which is the set for the imaginary Solana hotel reception.I caught up with them in the garage underneath the pink house which is the resting area when they are not being used in a scene. They have all had great fun - infact they were all in series 4 last year!
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Although not appearing until the third series of the ITV hit comedy series Benidorm, Tim's character Lesley has become an integral and hilarious addition to the cast - and off screen he is just as funny as I found out when we sat down together during a break when shooting at the Sol Pelicanos hotel. I couldn't stop laughing as I looked at him .... full face of OTT make-up and red nail varish.
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Yesterday saw the traditional "British Fancy Dress" day which always follows the end of the Benidorm fiesta. Thousands turned out in all manner of "attire" ranging from playboy bunnies, nurses, soldiers, policeman, cavemen, cartoon characters - the list and imagination really was endless! They all congregated from 2pm onwards in "The Square" when the drinking and fun began.
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Since the very first series of Benidorm was aired on ITV at the beginning of 2007, it has become such a hit with the UK viewers that Tiger Aspects are currently filming the 5th series in the town. The key characters have remained since the beginning and central to that are the loud dysfunctional Garvey family. Mike is the lazy, work shy, uncouth head of the clan who does anything to save a pound or two...
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Tony joined the cast of Benidorm in series 4 and was such a hit with the audience that he's back again in series 5 where he plays "uber camp hair stylist" Kenneth. I caught up with him at the pool side bar of the Sol Pelicanos hotel during his lunch break whilst filming during the week. But Tony was more than familiar with the hit series as he had originally auditioned for the part of Mick Garvey!
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... and not just 1 BAFTA but an astonishing 3 (to date) and he's here in Benidorm directing the last 2 episodes in the current series of the ITV hit comedy "Benidorm". Wow, what an honour for me to be able to sit and relax with him after he'd finished a busy days filming - with his trademark moustache which he has had since the age of 19 and only ever shaved off once for a part!
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As most of you are aware there is a growing trend for people to stick their feet in a tank full of fish ... known as the "Garra Rufa Fish pedicure".... where flesh eating fish nibble the dead skin off your feet. The trend spread like wildfire throughout the UK last year - it originated in Asia and Benidorm was no exception to this beauty craze.The first shop was opened by an English gent called Colin - whose premises are called "Dream Feet".
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Sales of "All Inclusive" package holidays to Benidorm have soared by 37% according to Hosbec (the Hoteliers Association) this year and British holiday makers now account for aprox. 40% of the tourist market staying in the town. With the current financial crisis more and more people are booking All Inclusives
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If you want to ever know where the filming is taking place you just need to walk around town to see where the Primoti vans and generator are parked up. Yesterday they took advantage of the break in weather .... whoever said it doesn't rain here in Spain obviously only ever comes here in the Summer. Its been raining cats and dogs over the last few days
On Tuesday a brand new British Family Medical Centre opened in the heart of Albir. Following the closure of the only one late last year - due to retirement, a big gap was left in the market. Albir has a huge ex-pat community and many of those are retired older people who do not feel comfortable going to the Centro de Salud, Spains equivalent of the local Health Centre.
Following a one week break, filming has resumed at "The Pink House" - the set for the Solana hotel reception. It is there that I met up with Francis Matthews, who is the producer of the current series of ITV's hit comedy "Benidorm". He is not to be mistaken with "Hammer Studio's Revenge of Frankinstiens" Francis Matthews - very confusing having two actors with the same name, but this one is far younger and better looking!
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